Structure of the kidneys Flashcards
Which structures make up the upper urinary tract?
Two kidneys
Two ureters
Which structures make up the lower urinary tract?
One urinary bladder
One urethra
What are the functions of the kidneys? (4)
- Maintainance of homeostasis
- Site of production
- Regukare the fluid and electrolyte balance
- Hydroxylates vitamin D3 to its active form
How do the kidneys maintain homeostasis?
Through filtration, absorption, and secretion
What are kidneys the site of production of?
Renin (causes it to be considered part of the endocrine system)
Erythropoietin
What is the function of erythropoietin?
Stimulates production of red blood cells
Which other organ is responsible for the production and hydroxylation of vitamin D3?
The skin
What are the kidneys?
Reddish brown bean-shaped organs on each side of the vertebral column
What is the location of the kidneys?
Posterior abdominal wall, primary retroperitoneal
Why is the right kidney lower than the left?
Because of the location of the liver on the right side
What is the movement of the kidneys like?
Limited, about 3cm in vertical dimension
Why is the movement of the kidneys limited?
Because of the diaphragm’s location
What are the coverings of the kidneys? (4)
Fibrous capsule
Perirenal fat
Renal fascia
Pararenal fat
Which organs have a fibrous capsule?
Presnet in all organs, naming just changes
What is the purpose of the perirenal fat?
Separates the kidneys from the adrenal glands (suprarenal gland)
Where is the perirenal fat located?
Perirenal is also known as perinephric fat, and it is located directly around the kidney
What is the renal fascia?
A continuous layer of the abdominal fascia covers both the kidneys and the suprarenal glands
What is the pararenal fat?
The outermost layer, continuous with retroperitoneal fat
In the case of perirenal abscess or injured kidney what is the direction/path of pus or blood?
Towards the infrarenal space, every other region is covered with renal fascia.
Infrarenal space will end up accumulating in the pelvis
What determines the direction of pus or blood determined by in the case of a perirenal abscess or injured kidney?
Attachments of the renal fascia
Which kind of organs have no direct contact with the kidneys?
Intraperitoneal they are covered by the peritoneum, examples are the spleen and stomach
What kind of structure is the suprarenal gland? (intra, retro, infra)
Retroperitoneal –> direct contact with the kidneys
What kind of structure is the second part of the duodenum? (intra, retro, infra)
Retroperitoneal
What are the relations of the right kidney? (5)
Right suprarenal gland (direct contact)
2nd part of duodenum (direct contact)
Liver (not direct contact)
Colon (direct contact)
Small intestine (not direct contact)
What are the relations of the left kidney? (6)
Left suprarenal galnd (direct contact)
Stomach (not direct contact)
Spleen (not direct contact)
Tail of pancreas (direct contact)
Colon (direct contact)
Small intestine (not direct contact)
What are the structures superior to the kidneys?
Right kidney –> Right lobe of liver and suprarenal gland
Left kidney –> Spleen and suprarenal gland
What are the strictures anterior to the right kidney?
The right lobe of the liver
Right colic flexure
2nd part of duodenum
What are the structures anterior to the left kidney?
Spleen
Left colic flexure
Stomach
Pancreas
What are the structures posterior to the kidneys?
Diaphgram
Psoas major
Quadratus lamborum
What are the structures posterior to the right kidney?
The 12th rib
What are the structures posterior to the left kidney?
The 11th and 12th rib
What is the Psoas major?
The innermost muscle, closest to the vertebral column
What is the location of Quadratus Lamborum?
Lateral to the Psoas major
Why is the right kidney only in contact with the 12th rib?
Because of its lower location, due to the presence of the liver
What is the renal hilum?
The point of entrance/exit of the kidneys, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels
At which level is the renal hilum found?
At the level of the transpyloric plane (L1/L2)
The renal hilum is part of the?
Renal sinus
What are the structures of the renal hilum starting from most anterior to most posterior?
Renal vein (most anterior)
Renal Artery
Ureter (most posterior)
What happens if there is one singular renal aretry?
It will be posterior to the renal vein and anterior to the ureter
What happens to the renal artery some times?
It divides into segmental arteries. Thus, there usually will be a renal artery anterior and posterior to the ureter
These variations are considered normal
What are the renal columns?
Extensions of cortex into medulla
What are the two internal structures of the kidney?
Cortex and medulla
What is the cortex?
The outermost part of the kidney
What is the medulla?
The innermost part of the kidney
What are the different structures of the cortex?
Renal corpuscles
Cortical labyrinth
Medullary rays
What is the cortical labyrinth made of?
Proximal convoluted tubule
Distal convoluted tubule