PBL 9 Flashcards
How big are the kidneys?
Approximately 11cm long
Where are the kidneys located?
On the posterior abdominal wall, either side of the vertebral column, approximately at level T12 to L3.
Why does the right kidney lie slightly lower than the left?
The large right lobe of the liver restricts it superiorly.
What is the shape of the kidney?
The lateral margin of each kidney is smoothly convex, while the medial margin is concave, and further indented in the middle at the hilum.
What is the function of the hilum in the kidneys?
The renal vessels and the renal pelvis enter and exit the kidney.
What are the three layers of supportive tissue that cover each kidney?
The renal capsule, the adipose capsule and the renal fascia
What is the renal capsule?
A thin fibrous sac made of dense, irregular connective tissue that adheres closely to the kidney.
What is the function of the renal capsule?
It maintains the shape of the kidney and protects it from trauma and infection
What is the adipose capsule?
a layer of fat that surrounds the renal capsule of the kidney
What is the function of the adipose capsule?
It protects and supports the kidney
What is the renal fascia?
A layer of tissue that passes in front of and behind both kidneys. It is made of dense irregular connective tissue and attaches to the renal capsule by strings of fibres.
What is the function of the renal fascia?
It provides anchorage of the kidneys to surrounding structures
What is the renal cortex?
the outer 1 cm of the kidney that contains the arcuate and interlobular arteries and veins and cortical nephrons (except for parts of the loop of henle and the collecting tubules which descend into the medulla.
What function occurs in the renal cortex?
Ultra filtration
What are the renal columns?
Extensions of the cortex that project in between the pyramids of the medulla and help anchor the cortex.
What is the renal medulla?
The inner section of the kidney that lies deep to the cortex and contains the renal pyramid. The medulla appears striated as it contains the striated as it contains the tubular systems of the juxtamedullary nephrons, as parts of the loop of Henle and collecting tubules of the cortical nephrons
What are the renal calyces?
Renal pyramids drain into minor and major calyces which in turn empty into the renal pelvis, and ultimately, the ureter
What are the renal pyramids?
Cone shaped structures that terminate medially by protruding into the minor calyces. They appear striated because they are packed with bundles of nephron loops and collecting tubules, plus associated capillaries.
What is the renal papilla?
Where the tips of the pyramids protrude into the minor calyces. Here all the urine from the collecting tubules into the minor calyces.
What are minor calyces?
Cup like projections that surround the papilla of each pyramid. Several minor calyces converge to for a major calyce.
What are major calyces?
There are two or three in each kidney. They join to form the renal pelvis
what is the renal pelvis?
A single funnel shaped structure located centrally at the hilum of the kidney. it drains into the ureter
Outline the flow of urine?
Renal pyramid—papilla—minor calyces—major calyces—renal pelvis—ureter
What supplies blood to the kidneys?
Renal arteries arising directly from the abdominal aorta .