Lecture 9: Renal Anatomy Flashcards
What organs make up the urinary system?
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary Bladder
Urethra
Simply put, what is the physiological role of kidneys?
- Filter metabolic waste products and toxins
- Convert filtrate to urine
- Blood pressure regulation
Where are kidneys found?
Retroperitoneal: T12-L3
*right kidney slightly lower
What enters the renal hilum?
Blood vessels
Nerves
Ureter
In the poster aspect, what is found at the transpyloric plane?
Left kidney: hilum
Right kidney: superior pole
From outward to the kidney itself, describe the layers of renal fat.
Superficial: Paranephric Fat
Middle: Renal fascia
Deep: Perinephric fat
What is renal fascia continuous with?
Inferior diaphragmatic fascia
The renal cortex makes what?
Erythropoietin
The renal medulla is a collection of what?
Renal pyramids and column
The renal calyxes are out-pocketings that eventually become what?
Ureter
Where do renal arteries branch of’?
Descending aorta
What do renal arteries branch into?
Segmental Artery –> Interlobar Artery –> Arcuate Artery –> Interlobular Artery –> Afferent Arteriole
What is the role of the afferent arteriole?
Brings blood to glomerulus
What does the term “water under the bridge” mean?
If blood vessels on top of the ureter are damaged, the ureter itself can be damaged as well.
Describe nutcracker syndrome.
Compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta
- hematuria
- proteinuria
- flank pain
- nausea
