Retroperitoneal Organs

Question 1

Abdominopelvic cavity

[2]

Answer 1

Peritoneal cavity
 retroperitoneal space (several small spaces - eg pararenal space)

Question 2

Retroperitoneal organs

- Mesentery/peritoneum over its anterior surface only [4]

Answer 2

◦ Aorta
◦ IVC
◦ Kidneys
◦ Suprarenal glands

Question 3

Retroperitoneal organs
-Some are secondary retroperitoneal organs
[3]

Answer 3

◦ Pancreas
◦ Duodenum
◦ Ascending and descending colon

Question 4

Urinary organs [4]

Answer 4

• Kindeys - produce urine
  
  • Ureters - conveys urine to bladder
  • Urinary bladder - temporary reservoir
  • Urethra - empties bladder to outside the body

Urethra NOT retroperitoneal

Question 5

Kidney - gross anatomy

Answer 5

• Bean shaped
  
  • 11 x 6 x 3 cm
  • Surface partly touched by peritoneum

Question 6

Right kidney [4]

Answer 6

◦ right suprarenal gland
◦ liver
◦ right colic flexure
◦ duodenum

Question 7

Left kidney [6]

Answer 7

◦	left suprarenal gland
	◦	stomach
	◦	spleen
	◦	pancreas
	◦	left colic flexure
	◦	jejunum

Question 8

Kidney - internal anatomy

Answer 8

• wo distinct regions: Cortex and medulla
  
  • Cortex -> Glomerulus
  • Medulla -> Renal pyramids (collecting ducts)
  • Cortex + renal pyramids = parenchima
  • Parenchima: functional kidney (nephrons)

Question 9

VAN - hilum of kidney [4]

Answer 9

• Renal pelvis (ureter)
  
  • Renal artery IVC anterior to artery
  • Lymphatics: Drain to lateral aortic nodes

Question 10

Functional kidney [3]

Answer 10

Regulation of blood Production of hormones (e.g. calcitriol)

Excretion of wastes and foreign substances

Question 11

Kidney - regulation of blood [5]

Answer 11

◦	ionic composition (e.g. Na)
	◦	pH (excrete H+)
	◦	volume (water)
	◦	pressure (renin)
	◦	osmolarity

Question 12

Suprarenal glands [3]

Answer 12

• Located over kidneys (coordinates same as upper pole)
  
  • Separate from kidneys in own fascial compartment
  • Shape: pyramidal (right); semilunar (left)

Question 13

Suprarenal glands - inner anatomy [2]

Answer 13

◦ Cortex

◦ Medulla

Question 14

Suprarenal glands - vessels and nerves [3]

Answer 14

◦ Suprarenal arteries
◦ Suprarenal veins

abdominopelvic n. (greater, less and least sp)

Question 15

Functional suprarenal - cortex and medulla [3]

Answer 15

Cortex:
corticosteroids (e.g. cortisol)
sex hormones (e.g. progesterone)

Medulla: Adrenaline

Question 16

Urether [4]

Answer 16

• Very muscular ducts
• 25-30 cms, from renal pelvis to bladder (posterior wall)
• 3 constrictions (kidney stones):
◦ ureteropelvic junction
◦ crossing iliac vessels (pelvic brim)
◦ entering bladder
• Blood supply from several sources (renal, aorta, iliac)

Question 17

Urether - constrictions [3]

Answer 17

◦ ureteropelvic junction
◦ crossing iliac vessels (pelvic brim)
◦ entering bladder