retroperitoneal organs of the posterior abdominal wall

Question 1

what is the retroperitoneal space

Answer 1

a space within the abdominopelvic cavity

posterior to the parietal peritoneum

Question 2

what are primary and secondary retroperitoneal structures

Answer 2

primary develop retroperitoneally and secondary develop intraperitoneally and then become retroperitoneal
structures- PEAR DUCKS or SAD PUCKER

Question 3

What are the retroperitoneal structures

Answer 3

Pancreas
Esophagus 
Aorta and IVC
Rectum 
Duodenum
Ureter
Colon 
Kidneys 
Suprarenal glands

Question 4

what is the urinary system

Answer 4

produces and excretes urine
spans kidneys, ureter, bladder, urethra
entirely retro and extraperitoneal (bladder and urethra extra)

Question 5

where are the kidneys

Answer 5

located on posterior abdominal wall
span T12-L2
receive 20% CO

Question 6

what do the kidneys do

Answer 6

regulate blood - ionic composition, pH, volume, pressure
hormone production (eg calcitriol)
excrete waste

Question 7

What is the internal anatomy of the kidney

Answer 7

two regions
cortex (outer)- glommerulus
medulla (inner)- collecting ducts
renal pyramid, renal sinus, renal capsule (CT surrounding kidney), renal column (tissue between pyramids)

Question 8

how does blood pass the kidneys

Answer 8

filtered at glomerulus
selective absorption of ions and water
urine passed into ureters

Question 9

anatomy of ureter into kidneys

Answer 9

ureter to renal hilum (passageway for vessels and ureter) to major calyx (formed from coming together of minor calyces, 2/3)
minor calyx (collects urine from pyramids)
renal pelvis, coming together of major calices

Question 10

how are the kidneys imaged

Answer 10

axial - either side of spine

contrast radiography, CT, MRI (due to soft tissues)

Question 11

what causes renal pain

Answer 11

stretching capsule, due to inc internal pressure
spasm of smooth muscle of renal pelvis
renal pain referred to cutaneous area of T12 - territory of subcostal nerve

Question 12

how does a renal transplant occur

Answer 12

fairly common
implanted kidney inserted into iliac fossa, accessed via incision over and parallel to inguinal ligament
vessels than anastomosed
ureterocystostomy straight into bladder

Question 13

how are the vessels anastomosed in kidney transplant

Answer 13

renal artery to external iliac artery
renal vein to external iliac vein
vital to tag vessels

Question 14

how are kidneys malformed

Answer 14

most prevalent organ to suffer this
bilateral/unilateral renal agenesis
supernumerary kidneys 
renal fusion 
ectopic kidney 
simple/polycystic kidney

Question 15

how are kidney stones seen

Answer 15

plain film radiographs
highlight them as soft tissue of ureter not visible on x rays
or CT urography (CT utilising contrast medium to highlight the urine production and excretion)

Question 16

what are the supra/adrenal glands

Answer 16

supra - above
separate from kidneys in own fascial compartment
right - pyramidal
left - half moon (semi lunar)

Question 17

internal anatomy of the suprarenal glands

Answer 17

cortex 
corticosteroids 
sex hormones 
medulla 
adrenaline

Question 18

neuromuscular supply of suprarenal glands

Answer 18

sup, mid, inf suprarenal arteries
suprarenal veins
abdominopelvic nerves (greater, less, least)

Question 19

what are the ureters

Answer 19

muscular tubes to convey urine to the bladder

relevant - kidney stones

Question 20

why do kidney stones effect ureters

Answer 20

calculi become lodged in ureter to stop urine flow

3 narrowest points are pelviureteric junction, crossing iliac vessels/pelvic brim, entering bladder

Question 21

cause of renal colic

Answer 21

pain caused by peristaltic movement of ureters trying to move stone
generally in waves but can also be felt on skin

Question 22

how are kidney stones treated

Answer 22

shockwave lithotripsy

Question 23

what is the bladder

Answer 23

distensible muscular sac with is a reservoir for urine

Question 24

what is the urethra

Answer 24

muscular duct conveying urine from bladder to external environment
length differs between males and females, reproductive purpose in males