Urinary Anatomy Flashcards
What is the principle function of the kidney?
Maintains homeostasis by blood filtration
What is the ureter?
A distensible macular tube which transmits urine from the renal pelvis into the bladder
What is the urethra? Outline its sexual dimorphic anatomy
A tube which transmits urine from the bladder out of the urethral meatus. Common between the reproductive and urinary system in males but distinct in females
Describe the location of the kidneys
Lie in the paravertebral gutters on the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the vertebral column between vertebra T12-L3
What is the hilus of the kidney?
The part on the medial concave border of the kidney through which blood vessels enter/leave the substance of the organ
What plane do the hilum of the kidneys lie?
Transpyloric plane
At what vertebral level does the transpyloric plane occur?
L1
Note the kidneys do not occur at the same vertebral level; why is this?
The right is lower than the left due to the liver
The kidney is enclosed by four layers; what are they?
- Fibrous renal capsule
- Fatty renal capsule
- Renal fascia (fibro-fatty tissue)
- Pararenal fatty tissue (mainly posterior aspect of kidneys)
What is the significance of having fatty tissue around the kidney?
Insulation and protection
What are the three muscular posterior relations of the kidneys?
- Abdominal diaphragm
- Psoas major
- Quadratus lumborum
What implication does the kidney’s close relation to the diaphragm have on its position?
It will move with respiration
What is the peritonisation of the kidneys?
Partially peritonised depending on the peritonisation of its anterior relations
Name some of the anterior relations of the kidneys
RIGHT KIDNEY: Suprarenal gland (R) Liver (I) Duodenum (distal 2/rds R) Colon (Asc + Desc = R) Jejunum (I)
LEFT KIDNEY: Suprarenal gland (R) Stomach (I) Spleen (I) Pancreas ( R except for tail) Left colic flexure (TC = I)
Outline the nerve supply to the kidneys
Sympathetic T12-L1 spinal nerves pass through coeliac ganglia and along renal artery to organ
Parasympathetic nerves are derived from vagus
Describe the lymphatics of the kidney
Drain into the para-aortic nodes around the origin of the renal arteries at L1
How does horseshoe kidney occur?
Kidneys fuse together during embryological development
What is the consequence of horseshoe kidney?
Higher risk of stone formation and cancer
What is the consequence of double ureter?
Increase risk of UTIs and blockages