Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

BLOCK D - RENAL > Renal Anatomy > Flashcards

Renal Anatomy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the location of the urinary system?

A

Behind the parietal peritoneum of the abdominal cavity (i.e. retroperitoneal space).
Kidneys are a retroperitoneal organ.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The retroperitoneal space is filled with…

A

extraperitoneal fat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The retroperitoneal space is enclosed by…

A

parietal peritoneum
transversalis fascia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the vertebral levels of the renal arteries?

A

L1/L2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the vertebral level of gonadal arteries?

A

L2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Reminder: The inferior vena cava crosses the diaphragm at which vertebral level?

A

T8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The kidneys & adrenals sit between which vertebral levels?

A

T12-L3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which kidney sits slightly lower than the other and why?

A

The right kidney is a little lower due to the liver above it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the costovertebral angle?

A

Angle between the vertebral column and 12th rib.
It marks the position of the kidneys.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does pain on percussion/pressure at the costovertebral angle mean?

A

May be indicative of kidney pathologies (abscess, calculi, pyelonephritis).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Pain or tenderness at the costovertebral angle is a…
a) negative sign of CVA tenderness
b) positive sign of CVA tenderness

A

b) positive sign of CVA tenderness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define perinephric (perirenal) fat.

A

Fat located inside the renal fascia leaflets, immediately surrounding the kidneys

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define paranephric (pararenal) fat.

A

Fat located posterior & lateral to the renal fascia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which layers have been cut to expose the kidney (to make a posterior approach to the kidney)? (7)

A

Skin
Muscles of the posterio-abdominal wall
Transversalis fascia
Paranephric fat
Renal fascia
Perinephric fat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Complete the statement:
Kidneys are smooth, ovoid organs covered in a…

A

fibrous capsule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where are the adrenal glands located?

A

At the superior pole of each kidney

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is comprised in the hilum of the kidney?

A

Renal artery
Renal vein
Ureter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

If the ureter is most anterior when looking at the kidney, and the renal vein is most posterior, what view must we have of the kidney?

A

Posterior view

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

When inspecting a kidney, you notice that the renal vein at the hilum is most anterior to you. What view do you have of the kidney?

A

Anterior view

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are renal columns?

A

Extensions of the cortex that extend into the medulla (toward the hilum), found between the renal pyramids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the renal papilla?

A

The apex of the renal pyramids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

A

Nephron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Minor calyces (8-12) at the base of renal papilla converge into… which converge into…

A

Minor calyces (8-12) at the base of renal papilla converge into (2-3) major calyces, which converge into the renal pelvis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the renal sinus?

A

It is the central cavity o the kidney containing adipose tissue, renal pelvis & calyces and neurovasculature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Blood supply to the kidneys comes from...
renal arteries
26
Renal arteries branch off the aorta at what vertebral levels?
L1/L2
27
Which renal artery is longer?Why?
Right renal artery *Explanation: The aorta is on the left of the IVC, so it is closer to the left kidney than the right.*
28
Which renal vein is longer?
Left renal vein *Explanation: The IVC is on the right of the aorta, so it is closer to the right kidney than the left.*
29
left renal vein passes under...
superior mesenteric artery
30
Renal blood supply is a location of high variation between humans. What are extra renal arteries? Name the 2 types.
Additional arteries that supply the kidneys in addition to the main renal artery: * Accessory/supranumerary renal arteries * Aberrant/polar renal arteries
31
Extra renal arteries: Accessory/supranumerary arteries supply...
the renal hilum
32
Extra renal arteries: Aberrant/polar arteries supply...
the superior or inferior poles of the kidney
33
What is the "Nutcracker Syndrome"?
Compression of the left renal vein, typically as it passes between the abdominal aorta & superior mesenteric artery. This can lead to blockage of the venous return from the left kidney AND left gonad (i.e. testis, ovary).
34
Adrenal glands are surrounded by... (2)
perinephric fat renal fascia
35
Adrenal glands are attached by renal fascia to...
the crura of the diaphragm
36
How does the adrenal gland shape differ on right and left?
Right: pyramidal Left: crescent/semi-lunar
37
What are the 3 layers of the adrenal glands?
Capsule Cortex Medulla
38
Name 3 types of hormones produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland
corticosteroids androgens aldosterone
39
Name a type of hormone produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland
catecholamines
40
What vessels supply the adrenal glands?
1. Superior suprarenal arteries 2. Middle suprarenal arteries 3. Inferior suprarenal arteries
41
What gives rise to superior suprarenal arteries?
Inferior phrenic artery
42
What gives rise to middle suprarenal arteries?
Abdominal aorta
43
What gives rise to inferior suprarenal arteries?
Renal artery
44
Describe the venous return from the adrenal glands.
Venous return drains via the right and left suprarenal veins.
45
The right suprarenal vein drains into... The left suprarenal vein drains into...
Right: inferior vena cava Left: left renal vein
46
The kidneys are innervated by...
the renal nerve plexus
47
Which 2 splanchnic nerves synapse with the aorticorenal ganglion, contributing to the renal plexus?
Lesser splanchnic Least splanchnic (sympathetic)
48
The suprarenal gland (adrenal gland) is innervated by...
greater splanchnic nerve
49
Why is there no ganglion to the adrenal glands?
The adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells, which are essentially modified postganglionic sympathetic neurons.
50
Describe the parasympathetic innervation of the kidneys.
The posterior vagal trunk and pelvic splanchnic nerves contribute to the renal plexus to innervate the kidneys.
51
What are ureters?
Muscular tubes that travel between the kidneys and urinary bladder (25-30cm in length). They carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
52
The ureters enter the pelvis at the ...
bifurcation of the common iliac arteries.
53
Gonadal arteries and veins cross ... to the ureters a) over/anterior b) under/posterior
a) over/anterior *Mnemonic: Water under the bridge*
54
Visceral afferent nerves from the ureters travel to spinal levels...
T11-L2
55
What nerve fibres are responsible for referred pain in the lower abdomen/groin region?
Visceral afferent nerves from T11-L2 spinal levels.
56
What are renal and ureteric calculi (stones)? What are their effects?
Calculi (kidney stones) are made of salts and minerals concentrated in the urine. When they pass into the ureter, large calculi can cause distention that leads to intermittent pain as the stone is "passed" down the ureter & may even obstruct the flow of urine.
57
What is the treatment for calculi? (2)
Nephroscopic removal and lithotripsy (shockwaves to break up the calculi).
58
Sites of ureter constriction (i.e. common sites where calculi can become lodged) (3)
1. Ureteropelvic junction 2. Crossing iliac vessels at pelvic brim 3. Entering the wall of the bladder
59
Where is the median umbilical ligament (bladder)?
Apex of the bladder
60
Openings in the bladder where the ureters drain.
Ureteric orifice (1 for each ureter)
61
What is the trigone
Triangular region of smooth mucosa on the posterior wall of the bladder.
62
Raised band of tissue that stretches across the posterior wall of the bladder, between the ureteric orifices.
Interureteric ridge
63
The opening of the urethra is called...
internal urethral orifice
64
What is the name of the muscle of the urinary bladder?
detrusor muscle (smooth muscle)
65
The median umbilical ligament is an embryological. remnant of...
the urachus: a canal between the bladder and umbilicus

BLOCK D - RENAL (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions