SUGER: anatomy and histology of the kidney and adrenal glands Flashcards
where is the left kidney located?
T11-L2
retro-peritoneal
where is the right kidney located?
T12-L3
(lower due to presence of the liver)
retro-peritoneal
what is the deepest fascia layer covering the kidney
the renal capsule (touch fibrous capsule)
where is the perineal and paraneal fat?
perineal fat -
in between capsule and main fascia layer (2nd deepest layer)
paraneal fat-
superficial layer on posterolateral aspect of kidney
what is the renal fascia? what is it also known as?
= Gerota’s fascia/perirenal fascia
a layer of connective tissue encapsulating the kidneys and the adrenal glands
what are the renal columns?
columns in between the renal pyramids
in the cortex of the kidney
what structures compose the renal cortex?
- renal corpuscles
- the proximal and distal convoluted tubules
- medullary rays
what are the medullary rays?
where are they found within the kidney?
- specialised areas
- within cortex of kidney (near outer border, close to renal capsule)
what structures do the medullary rays contain?
- a collection of loops of henle and collecting ducts
- from nephrons that have their renal corpsecules in outer parts of the cortex (close to renal capsule)
why are medullary rays named so if they are located in the cortex not medulla?
because they transport substances into the medulla
how are the medullary rays orientated?
radially orientated tubules
what is the inner part of the kidney formed from?
inner part = medulla + calyces
what shapes is the medulla arranged in?
inverted pyramids
where are the renal papilla?
at the end of the renal pyramids
where are the renal calyces?
allow urine to drain from renal pyramids into the renal pelvis (via renal papilla)
what is the difference between minor and major calyx?
minor connect to base of pyramids (renal papillae)
minors merge to form a major
major are bigger, and merge to form the renal pelvis
describe the pathway of urine from the cortex of the kidney to the ureters?
urine drains from:
- produced in collecting ducts
- travels down the renal pyramids
- through renal papilla at bases
- enter a minor calyx
- goes to a major calyx
- to the renal pelvis
- to the ureter
what structure is located on the medial border of the kidney and is where the renal vessels, nerves, lymphatics and ureter enter/exit the kidney?
the renal hilum
what is the arterial supply to the kidneys?
- L&R renal arteries
- from abdominal aorta
what is the venous drainage of the kidneys?
L&R renal veins
- drain directly into IVC
which renal vein (L or R) is bigger? why?
LEFT renal is bigger than right
because drains blood from left adrenal vein and left gonadal vein as well as left kidney
right only drains right kidney
what are nephrons?
= functional units of the kidney
what are nephrons responsible for?
filtering blood
- reabsorbing the necessary water and solutes
- secreting and excreting waste products as urine.
what parts of the nephron are in the cortex of the kidney?
renal corpuscle (the filter)
PCT
DCT
part of collecting duct
what are the parts of the renal corpsecule?
- a glomerulus
- a bowmans capsule
what is a glomerulus?
a tuft of capillaries surrounded by bowmans capsule
has the filtration barrier
what is the glomerular filtration barrier made of? (4)
- capillary endothelial cells
- Glomerular BM
- Podocytes
- mesangial cells (lie in between capillaries)
where are the glomeruli found?
cortex
NOT medulla
what structures compose the renal medulla?
- tubules orientated radially
- vessels
- loops of henley
- collecting ducts
how do you describe a tuft of capillaries that make up a glomerulus?
- convoluted
- fenestrated (leaky)
- have many capillary endothelial cells
- has mesangial cells in between