POSTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALLS & KIDNEYS (anat) Flashcards
The kidneys are anterior to the 12th ribs with the left kidney slightly higher than the right. They are supplied and drained by what arteries and veins?
renal arteries and renal veins.
The kidney consists of an outer……..and inner………
cortex
medula
The medulla is comprised of renal pyramids. Each renal pyramid drains into a……………. These join to form a…………… These unite to form the renal pelvis, which is continuous with the ureter.
minor calyx
major calyx

Each kidney consists of………..segments. Each is supplied with blood from its own segmental artery, which are branches of the renal artery. Is there collateral circulation within the segmental arteries in the kideys?
5
NO collateral circulation between segments.
*Therefore, occlusion of a segmental artery results in necrosis of the affected tissue. It also means a kidney segment can be surgically removed without affecting surrounding segments though.

* Remember that there are accessory renal arteries (extra hilar).
Do the left and right renal VEINS have tributaries?
Right renal vein: no tributaries
Left renal vein: The left gonadal and suprarenal veins are tributaries.

What vein is involved in renal vein entrapment syndrome?
left renal vein! (It passes deep to the superior mesenteric artery, where it may be compressed)
A donor kidney may be transplanted to replace a nonfunctional kidney. The transplanted kidney usually is placed within the………………
iliac fossa

A kidney stone is also called a……………….
calculus
A kidney stone may become lodged within and obstruct the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Urinary tract obstruction causes urine to back up with distention of the renal pelvis and calices (known as…………………..) and kidney failure
hydronephrosis
What arteries supply each portion of the ureter?
- Upper : branches of renal arteries
- Middle : branches from testicular/ovarian arteries, abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries .
- In the pelvic cavity: branches of internal iliac arteries .
* Arteries divide into ascending and descending branches which form a longitudinal anastomosis.

What veins supply each portion of the ureter?
- upper: renal v.
- Middle: gonadal v.
- In the pelvic cavity: branches of internal iliac veins.
What lymph nodes drain the kidneys?
paraaortic (lateral aortic or lumbar) nodes
* Green in pic

What lymph nodes drain the different portions of the ureters?
upper: paraaortic (lateral aortic) nodes
middle: common iliac nodes
inferior: external or internal nodes

Here is a slide with the nerve supply of the kidneys:

The suprarenal (adrenal) glands also consist of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. What is in the medulla and what is it responsible for?
Postganglionic sympathetic neuron cell bodies, which secrete catecholamines (adrenaline) for the fight-or-flight response.
What is the blood supply to the adrenal glands?
- Superior suprarenal a. (from inf. phrenic a.)
- Middle suprarenal a.(from abdominal aorta)
- Inferior suprarenal a. (from renal a.)
What veins drain the adrenal glands?
- Right suprarenal v. (which goes to inf. vena cava)
- Left suprarenal v. (which goes to left renal vein)
Nerve Supply to the suprarenal (adrenal) glands is primarily sympathetic. with fibers via greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerves.
………………………fibers end in the adrenal medulla. *****VERY IMPORTANT********
Postganglionic fibers supplying blood vessels arise from ganglia around the aorta.
Preganglionic

The abdominal aorta extends from the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at vertebra…………, to its bifurcation into the common iliac arteries.
T12
What are the visceral Branches of the Abdominal Aorta?
Unpaired arteries:
- Celiac artery (L1): supply foregut
- Superior mesenteric artery (L1): supply midgut
- Inferior mesenteric artery (L3): supply hindgut
Paired arteries:
- Middle suprarenal arteries
- Renal arteries
- Testicular or ovarian arteries

When it comes to branches of the aorta, what are the posterior arteries and the terminal arteries?
Posterior arteries:
- Inferior phrenic arteries
- Lumbar arteries (4 pairs)
- Median sacral artery
Terminal arteries:
•Common iliac arteries
Repairing an abdominal aortic aneurism is usually complicated by the origin of the…………….. artery on the aneurysm.
inferior mesenteric

What are the main tributaries that lead blood to the inferior vena cava?
- Common iliacs
- 5 Lumbar veins
- Right testicular/ovarian vein
- Renal veins
- Rightsuprarenal vein
- Inferior phrenic veins
- Hepatic veins












