Urinary anatomy Quiz

Question 1

Which cells of the distal convoluted tubule respond to changes in tubular fluid composition?

Answer 1

Macula densa

Question 2

When the bladder is empty, what is its’ anatomical position?

Answer 2

Lies anteriorly on the Pubic symphysis

Question 3

What is the outer capsular layer called? (Of the kidney)

Answer 3

Renal fascia

Question 4

What structure does the right renal artery lie posterior to?

Answer 4

Right renal vein

Question 5

Which structures do the minor calcyes drain into?

Answer 5

Major calyces

Question 6

15% of the nephrons in the kidney are which type? What are the remainder called?

Answer 6

Juxtamedullary
Cortical

Question 7

Triangle shaped layer within the kidney is called what?

Answer 7

Renal pyramid

Question 8

How can the kidneys be described in terms of their position in the abdominal cavity? What does this term mean?

Answer 8

Retroperitoneal
This means that only the anterior surface of the organs come into contact with the peritoneum. Not enveloped in peritoneum as intra-peritoneal organs are.

Question 9

The left kidney is slightly higher than the right kidney due to the position of which organ?

Answer 9

Liver

Question 10

At what vertebral level would you expect to find the hilum?

Answer 10

L1

Question 11

What is the junction between the pelvis of the kidney and the proximal ureter called?

Answer 11

Pelviureteric junction

Question 12

What is the junction between the distal ureter and the bladder called?

Answer 12

Vesicoureteric junction

Question 13

What are the muscular folds within the bladder called?

Answer 13

Rugae

These allow expansion of the bladder to hold higher volumes when micturition is inappropriate.

Question 14

What is the highly specialised epithelium lining the lower urinary tract called?

Answer 14

Urothelium

Question 15

What is the difference between a renal lobule and a renal pyramid?

Answer 15

A renal lobule contains the renal cortex and renal medulla of that portion of the kidney, whereas a renal pyramid only contains renal medulla of that section.

Question 16

What is the difference between cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons? How does this change function?

Answer 16

Cortical nephrons have a shorter loop of henle that only extends into the outer medullary layer. Juxtamedullary nephrons have a longer loop of henle that spans the entirety of the medullary layer. This allows formation of a more concentrated urine and more exchange of solvents.

Question 17

What are the components of the juxtaglomerular apparatus? What does each do?

Answer 17

Macula densa— cells of distal convoluted tubule that sense composition of fluid and indicate whether mechanisms to increase BP should be activated.
Extraglomerular mesangial cells- help transmit information from macula densa to granular cells.
Granular cells— produce and release renin which stimulates the RAAS system

Question 18

Indicate the order of arteries that supply the kidney from the abdominal aorta

Answer 18

AA
renal artery
Segmental artery
Interlobar artery
Arcuate artery
Interlobular artery
Afferent arteriole
Glomerulus
Efferent arteriole
Then either: peritubular capillaries (associated with convoluted tubules) or vasa recta (associated with loop of henle)

Question 19

Indicate the venous drainage of the kidney from the vasa recta onwards

Answer 19

Order= inverse of arterial supply
1. Vasa recta
2. Interlobular vein
3. Arcuate vein
4. Interlobar vein
5. Segmental veins
6. Renal vein
7. Inferior vena cava

Question 20

Where is the most common area for ureteric injury?

Answer 20

Near the pelvic brim— lots of structures in the pelvis, ureter takes the shortest route immediately overlying the bony structure of the pelvic brim where compression can cause injury.

Question 21

Which structures make up the borders of the trigone area?

Answer 21

The 2 ureteric openings of the bladder
Internal urethral meatus

Question 22

What is the average capacity of the bladder?

Answer 22

~750ml
Beyond this, becomes painful

Question 23

What are the urethral divisions in the male urethra?

Answer 23

Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra
Bulbous urethra
Penile/spongy urethra
External urethral meatus

Question 24

Which structures join at the hilum of the kidney? Order these structures from anterior to posterior

Answer 24

Renal vein
Renal artery
Ureter
(+ lymphatics)