Renal and Urology Practical 2.2.3

Question 1

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found in the abdominal cavity. What vertebral level do the kidneys sit at? Which kidney sits higher and why?

Answer 1

The kidneys sit at vertebral level T12-L3. The left kidney usually sits slightly higher, due to the presence of the liver in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity.

Question 2

There are three common sites of narrowing in the ureters. Can you list these, identify them in the specimens and state why these may be clinically relevant?

Answer 2

Three common sites of narrowing in the ureters;

1. Junction of the ureter and renal pelvis
2. Crossing the common iliac artery at the pelvic brim
3. Passing through the wall of the bladder

Question 3

what muscles are in contact with the posterior kidney?

Answer 3

transversus abdominus, quadratus lumborum and psoas major

Question 4

is the IVC or aorta on the left?

Answer 4

the IVC is on the right hand side of the aorta

Question 5

The _____ renal vein is relatively long and can be found travelling ___________to the abdominal aorta, while the ______renal vein travels directly and is relatively short. Conversely, the _____renal artery is the longer vessel, and can be found passing ________to the IVC. The _____ renal artery is comparatively shorter, and passes directly towards the left kidney.

Answer 5

left anterior right
right posterior left

Question 6

is the medulla lighter or darker than the cortex?

Answer 6

medulla is lighter than the cortex

Question 7

what are the layers of the ureter?

Answer 7

epithelial, lamina propria, muscularis externa, adventitia

Question 8

what type of muscle is the detrusor?

Answer 8

smooth - parasympathetic nervous system

Question 9

which bladder sphincter do we have voluntary control over?

Answer 9

second sphincter

Question 10

what is the name for two ureters

Answer 10

bifed ureter

Question 11

what is a horeshoe kidney?

Answer 11

they are formed by developing kidneys fusing together at the inferior pole, during normal development nthe kidneys form in the pelvis and ascend to their final anatomical position, in horeshoe kidneys however, the fused kidney is often trapped by the inferior mesenteric artery and so are found lower down in the abdominal cavity