Urinary System Flashcards
What does the urinary system do?
- filters blood and dispose some waste byproducts of metabolic reactions in human body
- plays major role in fluid and electrolyte balance
What does the urinary system consist of? (4)
kidneys
ureters
urinary bladder
urethra
Kidneys
Where are the kidneys?
behind peritoneum at either side of vertebral column at level of vertebrae TXII-LIII
Kidneys
Compare the right and left kidneys.
right kidney is slightly lower than left kidney due to presence of liver
Kidneys
How many surfaces, borders, and poles do the kidneys have?
- 2 surfaces (anterior and posterior)
- 2 borders (medial and lateral)
- 2 poles (superior and inferior)
Kidneys
What is the anterior surface of the right kidney related to?
mainly related to liver, right colic flexure (hepatic flexure), and duodenum
Kidneys
What is the anterior surface of the left kidney related to?
mainly related to spleen, pancreas, left colic flexure (splenic flexure), and stomach
Kidneys
What is the posterior surface related to?
diaphragm, psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and transversus abdominis muscles
Kidneys
What nerves pass between kidneys and muscles on the posterior surface of the kidney? (3)
subcostal
iliohypogastric
ilioinguinal
Kidneys
What is the upper part of the left side posterior surface related to?
What is the upper part of the right side posterior surface related to?
left: ribs 11 and 12
right: rib 12
Kidneys
What is the shape of the lateral border?
convex
Kidneys
What is the shape of the medial border?
concave
Kidneys
What does the medial border house?
renal hilum
Kidneys
What is the renal hilum?
entrance to renal sinus
Kidneys
What is the renal sinus?
space that contains renal vein, renal artery, renal pelvis, lymphatics, nerve fibers, and fat
Kidneys
Where is the superior pole?
inclined towards vertebral column
Kidneys
Where is the inferior pole?
farther from vertebral column
Kidneys
What is the superior pole capped by?
suprarenal (adrenal) gland
Coverings of the Kidney
What are the 4 distinct layers of fascia and fat?
- fibrous capsule
- perirenal (perinephric) fat
- renal fascia
- pararenal (paranephric) fat
Coverings of the Kidney
What do the coverings of the kidney do?
provide mechanical protection or thermal insulation for kidneys, or anchor them in place
Coverings of the Kidney
Where is the fibrous capsule?
intimately attached to kidney, and partially extends into interior of renal hilum to line the renal sinus
Coverings of the Kidney
What does perirenal (perinephric) fat do?
invests kidney outside fibrous capsule
Coverings of the Kidney
What does renal fascia do?
separates surrounds kidney and suprarenal (adrenal) gland and associated perineal fat
- continuous inferiorly, and blends with fascia surrounding ureter
- continuous medially with connective tissue surrounding renal vessels
Coverings of the Kidney
Where is pararenal (paranephric) fat?
What does it do?
located behind kidney and cushions it