The kidneys Flashcards
What does the urinary system consist of?
Paired kidneys and ureters (left and right), a muscular urinary bladder and urethra.
Where do the two kidneys lie?
Retroperitoneally (behind the peritoneum) on the posterior body wall.
Which vertebrae are the kidneys on the sides of?
T12-L3 vertebrae.
Which ribs are the kidneys partially protected by?
Ribs 11 and 12.
Which side of the kidney lies lower and why?
The right kidney usually lies lower than the left due to the large right lobe of the liver.
What are the parameters of the kidney?
Its 10cm long, 5cm wide and 2.5cm thick.
How are the kidneys related to the diaphragm?
They’re related inferiorly to the diaphragm, which also acts to separate them from the pleural cavities and 12 rib.
Which glands are both kidneys related to?
Suprarenal or adrenal glands superiorly.
What is the right kidney related to?
Liver, duodenum and ascending colon anteriorly.
What is the left kidney related to?
The stomach, spleen, pancreas, jejunum and descending colon.
What are the 3 functions of the kidneys?
They excrete most of the waste products of metabolism.
They filter the blood, removing waste products and producing urine.
They play a major role in controlling water volume and ion concentrations and in maintaining the acid/base balance of the blood.
