T3 L1 Retroperitoneal organs

Question 1

Give some examples of retroperitoneal organs

Answer 1

Aorta
Inferior vena cava
Kidneys
Suprarenal glands

Question 2

What are retroperitoneal organs?

Answer 2

Mesentery / peritoneum only covers the anterior surface

Question 3

Give some examples of secondary retroperitoneal organs?

Answer 3

Pancreas
Duodenum
Ascending & descending colon

Question 4

What are secondary retroperitoneal organs?

Answer 4

Started off as intraperitoneal organs & then got pushed back

Question 5

Where are the kidneys in relation to the posterior abdominal wall muscles?

Answer 5

Diaphragm is superior
Psoas major is medial
Quadratus lumborum is posterior & lateral

Question 6

Where is the superior pole of the left kidney?

Answer 6

T12

Question 7

Where is the inferior pole of the left kidney?

Answer 7

L3

Question 8

What is the right kidney slightly lower than the left kidney?

Answer 8

Due to the presence of the liver

Question 9

What organs are close to the right kidney?

Answer 9

Right suprarenal gland
Liver
Right colic flexure
Duodenum

Question 10

What organs are close to the left kidney?

Answer 10

Left suprarenal gland
Stomach
Spleen
Pancreas
Left colic flexure
Jejunum

Question 11

What are the 2 distinct regions in the kidney?

Answer 11

Cortex

Medulla

Question 12

What makes up the parenchyma?

Answer 12

The cortex & renal pyramids

Question 13

What kidney has a short renal artery & long renal vein?

Answer 13

Left kidney

Question 14

What kidney has a long renal artery & short renal vein?

Answer 14

Right kidney

Question 15

What factors need to be regulated in the blood?

Answer 15

Ionic composition
pH
Volume
Pressure
Osmolarity

Question 16

What is the function of the kidneys?

Answer 16

Regulate the blood
Produce hormones such as calcitriol
Excretion of waste & foreign substances

Question 17

What protects the kidneys from injury?

Answer 17

Perirenal fat
Ribs
Vertebral column

Question 18

Where are the suprarenal glands?

Answer 18

Located over the kidneys

Question 19

What is the shape of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 19

Pyramidal on the right

Semilunar on the left

Question 20

What is the function of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 20

Produce corticosteroids & sex hormones for the cortex

Produce adrenaline for the medulla

Question 21

What nerves supply the suprarenal glands?

Answer 21

Abdominopelvic nerves - greater, less & least splanchnic

Question 22

What are the 3 constrictions of the ureters?

Answer 22

Ureteropelvic junction
Crossing iliac vessels
Entering bladder

Question 23

What is the blood supply to the ureters?

Answer 23

Renal
Aorta
Iliac

Question 24

What is the function of the urethra in males?

Answer 24

Reproductive

Urinary

Question 25

Where does the urethra go?

Answer 25

Passes under pubic symphysis & crosses pelvic floor muscles to reach genitals

Question 26

Where does renal pain refer to?

Answer 26

Cutaneous area of T12 around subcostal nerve

Question 27

Why does renal pain occur?

Answer 27

Stretching capsule & spasms of the smooth muscle around the renal pelvis
Afferent fibres in renal plexus around renal artery follow parallel to sympathetic fibres

Question 28

Describe renal colic

Answer 28

Peristaltic wave of ureter attempting to pass a stone
Agonising pain on skin over area supplied
Severe pain spreads to CNS & can cause nausea

Question 29

Where does renal transplantation occur?

Answer 29

Transplanted into iliac fossa
Incision done over inguinal ligament
Vessel anastomosis of renal artery to external iliac artery & renal vein to external iliac vein