Topography of the Urinary System Flashcards
List 6 functions of the urinary system.
1 - To maintain an optimal hydration status.
2 - To maintain optimal electrolyte levels.
3 - To control blood pressure.
4 - To clear the aqueous phase of products of metabolism.
5 - To clear drugs / exogenous molecules.
6 - To promote haemopoesis via haemopoetin.
List the components of the urinary system.
1 - Systemic blood vessels.
2 - Renal arteries and veins.
3 - 2 kidneys.
4 - 2 ureters.
5 - The urinary bladder.
6 - The urethra.
7 - Continence and micturition centres of the CNS.
In which anatomical region is the urinary system kept?
The abdominopelvic region.
How are the viscera of the urinary system divided?
Into upper and lower urinary tracts:
- The upper urinary tract is composed of the kidneys and ureters.
- The lower urinary tract is composed of the urinary bladder and urethra.
How does the urinary system differ between males and females?
The male urethra is also the passageway for semen from the gonads.
Are the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
- The kidneys and proximal half of the ureters are retroperitoneal.
- The urinary bladder and distal half of the ureters are intraperitoneal.
Is the urinary bladder in the true or false pelvis?
- When empty, it is only in the true pelvis.
- When full, it is in both the true and the false pelvis.
Through which surface does the urethra pass?
The perineum.
How does the upper urinary tract differ functionally from the lower urinary tract?
- The upper urinary tract is concerned with the production of urine.
- The lower urinary tract is concerned with the storage and excretion of urine.
List the main muscles of the posterior abdominal wall.
1 - Quadratus lumborum.
2 - Psoas major and minor.
3 - Left and right crura of the diaphragm.
What are the crura of the diaphragm?
A tendinous structure of the diaphragm that extends to the vertebral column.
What are paravertebral gutters?
Spaces formed by medial and lateral lumbosacral arches that house the kidneys.
What forms lumbosacral arches?
Thickenings of fasciae of quadratus lumborum, psoas major and psoas minor.
On which sides of the vertebral column are the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava?
- The abdominal aorta lies to the left of the vertebral column.
- The inferior vena cava lies to the right of the vertebral column.
At which vertebral level does the abdominal aorta give rise to the renal arteries?
L1/2.
Which veins form the renal veins?
The interlobular veins.
Into which vein does the renal vein empty?
The inferior vena cava.
List the ways in which the left renal vein differs from the right renal vein.
- The left renal vein is longer (as the inferior vena cava is on the right side of the body).
- The left renal vein also drains blood from the left suprarenal, left gonadal and left ascending lumbar veins.
Which organs lie superior to the kidneys?
The adrenal / suprarenal glands.
Describe the anterior relations of the right kidney.
- The duodenum lies anterior to the medial border.
- The right lobe of the liver lies anterior to the superior 2/3.
- The jejunum and right colic flexure lie anterior to the inferior 1/3.
What are colic flexures?
The bends between the ascending, descending and transverse colon.
What is the hilum of the kidney?
The recessed central fissure where its vessels, nerves and ureter pass.
Describe the anterior relations of the left kidney.
- The spleen lies anterior to the lateral border.
- The pancreas and stomach lie anterior to the superior portion.
- The jejunum and left colic flexure lie anterior to the inferior portion.
List the posterior relations of the right kidney.
1 - The diaphragm.
2 - The costodiaphragmatic recess of the pleura.
3 - The 12th rib.
4 - Quadratus lumborum.
5 - Psoas major and minor.
6 - Transversus abdominis.
7 - The subcostal nerve.
8 - The iliohypogastric nerve.
9 - The ilioinguinal nerve.
