S1) Anatomy of the Urinary System Flashcards
In terms of anatomical relationships, explain why the left kidney is higher than the right kidney?
- The liver (above the right kidney) is larger than the spleen (above the left kidney)
- Hence, the left kidney is higher because the liver pushes the right kidney down
At approximately what vertebral level would you expect to find the right and left kidneys respectively?
- Left kidney (T11 - L2)
- Right kidney (T12 - L3)
Identify the anatomical relations of the right kidney
4 – Adrenal glands
6 – Duodenum
2 – Hepatic area
7 – Right colon areas
3 – Inferior vena cava
8 – Abdominal aorta
Identify the anatomical relations of the left kidney
4 – Adrenal glands
9 – Small bowel
5 – Spleen
10 – Pancreas
7 – Left colon areas
1 – Stomach
11 – Left renal vein
Identify the complex layers of fascia and fat surrounding the kidney (deep to superficial)
Describe the structure of the following:
- Renal capsule
- Renal fascia
- Renal capsule: tough fibrous capsule
- Renal fascia: encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands
Describe the structure of the following:
- Perirenal fat
- Pararenal fat
- Perirenal fat: collection of extraperitoneal fat
- Pararenal fat: mainly located on the posterolateral aspect of kidney
The renal parenchyma can be divided into two main areas.
Identify these
- Outer cortex
- Inner medulla
What are renal pyramids and how are they formed?
The outer renal cortex extends into the inner renal medulla, dividing the kidney into triangular shapes known as the renal pyramids
What is the apex of a renal pyramid called?
A renal papilla
What is a minor calyx and what does it do?
A minor calyx is a structure that is associated with a renal papilla and collects urine from the pyramids
How is a major calyx formed?
Several minor calices merge to form a major calyx
Explain the role of the renal pelvis in the kidney
- Urine passes through the major calices into the renal pelvis, a flattened and funnel-shaped structure
- From the renal pelvis, urine drains into the ureter, which transports it to the bladder for storage
What is the renal hilum and what does it do?
- A renal hilum is a deep fissure which marks the medial margin of each kidney
- Renal vessels and ureter enter/exit the kidney through this structure
Describe the arterial supply of the kidneys
- Receive blood from renal arteries
- Left and right renal arteries arise from the abdominal aorta
Identify the following renal vasculature:
What is the term used to describe the junction between the pelvis of the kidney and the ureter?
Pelvi-ureteric junction
What term is used to describe the junction between the ureter and the bladder?
Vesico-ureteric junction
Describe the venous drainage of the kidneys
- Drained of venous blood by left and right renal veins
- Leave the renal hilum and empty directly into the inferior vena cava
From the hilum, describe the course of the ureter until it enters the bladder
- Renal pelvis narrows to form the ureter (PUJ)
- Ureter descends down abdomen and cross pelvic brim where the common iliac artery bifurcates
- Ureters run down lateral pelvic walls then move anterio-medially towards bladder
In females, what does the phrase “water under the bridge refer to?”
The ureter runs underneath the uterine artery
Describe the anatomical location of the pre-prostatic urethra
Pre-prostatic urethra lies between the bladder and prostate
Describe the anatomical location of the prostatic urethra
Prostatic urethra traverses the prostate
Describe the anatomical location of the membranous urethra
Membranous urethra spans from the apex of the prostate to the bulb of the penis (deep peritoneal pouch)
Describe the anatomical location of the penile urethra
Penile urethra traverses the corpus spongiosum of penis
