Urinary - Gross Anatomy

Question 1

Which vertebral levels do the kidneys start/finish

Answer 1

T11/12 - L3

Question 2

How much does each kidney weigh?

Answer 2

150g

Question 3

Where does the bladder sit in the body?

Answer 3

Behind the pubic bone in adults and above it as a child

Question 4

What is the prostates function (in men obvs)

Answer 4

Acts as a hilum for the urethra and seminal vessels to pass through to the penis

Question 5

Where do the ureters arise from?

Answer 5

From the renal pelvis on the medial aspect of each kidney

Question 6

Which direction do the ureters descend?

Answer 6

In front of psoas major

Question 7

Why does the ureters enter the bladder obliquely?

Answer 7

To act as a ‘valve’ for when the bladder fills so the urine doesn’t flow back up to the kidney

Question 8

What are kidney stones?

Answer 8

Solid pieces of material which is formed in the kidney from minerals in urine (esp calcium) that can cause a blockage in the ureter.

Question 9

Where are the 3 worst areas for kidney stone blockage?

Answer 9

Junction of the renal pelvis and the ureter
The point at which the ureters cross the brim of the pelvis
Where the ureters pass into the wall of the bladder

Question 10

What will diagnose a kidney stone?

Answer 10

History (pain radiating from groin) urinanalysis (blood leukocytes)

Question 11

What 4 structures pass through the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 11

Renal arteries, renal vein, renal plexus and urethra

Question 12

What surrounds the kidney?

Answer 12

Fibrous capsule

Question 13

Where are the kidneys located in the body?

Answer 13

Retroperitoneal organs that sit either side of the spine in the abdominal cavity.

Question 14

Describe the renal cortex?

Answer 14

Continuous smooth outer zone with cortical columns that extend down between the pyramids. It contains the glomerulus and bowmans capsule, ultrafiltration takes place here. It contains renal tubules except for parts of the loop of henle (descends into the medulla)

Question 15

Describe the renal medulla

Answer 15

Split into pyramids contains the structures of nephrons that are responsible for maintaining salt and water balance.

Question 16

Describe the journey from the collection duct to the urethra

Answer 16

Pyramids –> minor calynx —> major calynx –> renal pelvis

Question 17

How much of CO is delivered to the kidneys?

Answer 17

20%

Question 18

What level do the renal arteries arise from the abdominal aorta?

Answer 18

L1/L2 immediately below sup. mesenteric artery

Question 19

What structures does the right renal artery pass under?

Answer 19

IVC

Question 20

What structure does the left renal vein pass over?

Answer 20

Aorta

Question 21

What is the order of artery supply to the kidneys?

Answer 21

Renal, segmental, interlobar, arcuate, interlobular, afferent, glomerulus, efferent

Question 22

What is a nephron?

Answer 22

Basic structural and functional unit of the kidney regulates conc of water and ions.

Question 23

What is the order of filtration from the blood flow?

Answer 23

Bowmans capsule
Proximal convoluted tube
Loop of Henle (medulla) 
Distal convoluted tube 
Collection duct

Question 24

What is the key function of the PCT?

Answer 24

Isoosmotic reabsorption (same in same out)
MAJOR site of reabsorption
60-70% NA+
100% glucose

Question 25

What is the key function of the loop of Henle?

Answer 25

Further reabsorption
Creates a gradient of increasing osmolality in the medulla allows formation of urine when it passes through the collection duct

Question 26

What is the function of the distal convoluted tube?

Answer 26

Removes yet more na+ and Cl - and actively secretes H+

Question 27

What is the function of the collection duct?

Answer 27

Passes through medulla with high osmolality if water can cross the epithelium it will leave the urine if not urine is dilute

Question 28

What makes up the ECF.

Answer 28

12L of interstitial fluid

3L of plasma

Question 29

How much do the kidneys filter each day?

Answer 29

180L a day