Renal Module I Flashcards
What space are the kidneys located?
Retroperitoneal
Which kidney is slightly lower?
right kidney (due to liver)
What are the kidneys protected by?
Posterior wall muscles and ribs
Approximately what are the measurements of the kidneys?
4-5 inches long, 2 inches tall
What arteries supply kidneys?
R/L renal arteries
How many liters of blood do the kidneys receive per minute? This accounts for how much of the cardiac input?
~1-1.25 L/min (20-25% cardiac output)
What is the dense connective tissue that surrounds the kidneys?
Renal capsule (fibrous capsule)
What is the layer of fat that provides shock absorption in the kidneys?
Renal fat pad
What is the connective tissue layer that surrounds the renal pad?
Renal fascia
What is a common symptom of many urinary tract diseases?
Flank pain/CVA tenderness
What causes flank pain?
Distention of the renal capsule, renal pelvis, and ureter
What causes “higher” flank patterns when compared to ureter pathology?
Kidney pathology
Severity of flank pain is directly related to what? What is it nor directly related to?
Directly related to speed of onset (but not degree of distention)
Ex. small kidney stone lodged in the ureter causes more pain than a slow growing, large tumor that distends the ureter
What is the outer region of the kidney that contains the nephrons?
Renal cortex
What is the inner region of the kidney that consists of renal columns and pyramids?
Renal medulla
What are the spaces located between each renal pyramid that contain nephrons?
Renal columns
What are the triangular shaped spaces that contain nephritic tubules (loop of Henle) and collecting ducts?
Renal pyramids
Where do the renal pyramids descend to?
The renal papilla (apex of the pyramids)
What is the urine pathway?
Flows from: Collecting ducts in the renal papilla (apex) -> minor calyce-> major calyce -> renal pelvis -> ureter
-> bladder
What do the calyces, renal pelvis, and ureters contain to facilitate the flow of urine into the bladder?
Smooth muscle
What is a ureteral stent (ureteric stent)?
Thin tube inserted into ureter to prevent or treat urine obstruction
Indications for a ureteral stent?
-Bilateral ureteral obstruction
-Obstruction of solitary functioning kidney
-Ureteric injury
-Post treatment of urolithiasis in pts w/ solitary kidney
When is pre-surgical ureteral stenting used?
Prophylactically in case of injury to ureter during surgery
What is considered the functional unit of the kidney?
Nephrons