The Urinary Tract

Question 1

Kidney location

Answer 1

Behind the peritoneum 
T12 – L3
Right one is lower than the left
Held in place by a mass of fat
Sheath of connective tissue
Renal fascia

Question 2

Left Kidney anatomical relations

Answer 2

Superiorly – left adrenal gland
Anteriorly – spleen, stomach, pancreas, jejunum and splenic flexure
Posteriorly -diaphragm, muscles of posterior abdominal wall

Question 3

Right Kidney anatomical relations

Answer 3

Superiorly – right adrenal gland
Anteriorly – right lobe of liver, duodenum, hepatic flexure of colon
Posteriorly -diaphragm, muscles of posterior abdominal wall

Question 4

Gross Structure

Kidney

Answer 4

Outer fibrous capsule
Cortex – reddish brown layer
Medulla – inner most. Consists of pale, conical shaped, striated structures, the renal pyramids.
Each pyramid has a pointed end -papilla

Question 5

Ureters

What are they and where are they

Answer 5

Tubes that run from kidneys to urinary bladder
25-30cms long and 3mm in diameter
Ureter is continuous with the renal pelvis
Travels down posterior abdominal wall, behind the peritoneum
In front of the psoas muscle
Pass obliquely through the posterior wall of the bladder
As the bladder fills and expands, it compresses the ureters to prevent backflow

Question 6

Ureters layers

Answer 6

Outer -fibrous connective tissue continuous with covering of kidney
Middle –muscular layer, smooth muscle
Inner – mucosa, transitional epithelium

Allows for peristalsis to propel the urine into the bladder

Question 7

Urinary Bladder

Where is it and general info

Answer 7

Roughly pear shaped and sits in the pelvis, but can rise into the abdomen when full
The posterior surface is called the base
Bladder opens into the urethra at its lowest point, the neck

Question 8

Bladder layers

Answer 8

Outer – loose connective tissue
Middle – smooth muscle fibres and elastic tissue in 3 layers. Called detrusor muscle
Inner – transitional epithelium, lies in folds or rugae when empty

3 openings of the bladder are called the trigone

Question 9

Urethra function and length

Answer 9

Canal running from neck of bladder to the external urethral opening
Female – 4cm long and 6 mm diameter
Male – 19 – 20cm long

Question 10

Function of the kidneys

Answer 10

Produce Urine
Maintain water, electrolyte and acid base balance – homeostasis
Produce and secrete erythropoietin (stimulates RBC production)
Produce and secrete renin

Question 11

Hormones

Answer 11

Parathyroid – calcium and phosphate – blood pressure
Antidiuretic (ADH) – increases the permeability of DCT, increased absorption of water
Aldosterone – increased the absorption sodium and water
Atrial natriuretic peptide – decrease the absorption of sodium and water