urinary system and inguinal canal Flashcards
what makes up the urinary system?
kidneys - ureters - urinary bladder - urethra
what are the kidneys’ relations to major blood vessels and what organs lie superior to each?
right:
lateral to the IVC (the darker large blood vessel) which is fed by the renal veins and the right testicular vein
inferior to the liver
left:
lateral to the abdominal aorta (the lighter large blood vessel) which has the renal artery branches
inferior to the spleen
the suprarenal glands lie just superior to either
describe the location of the kidneys
retro or intraperitoneal?
Posterior abdominal wall, retroperitoneal (peritoneum on anterior surface only)
covered by renal fascia and fat/adipose tissue
Superior end at T12, bottom end at L3
Right lower than left to accommodate liver
what are five main functions of the kidney?
- Excrete end-products of metabolism and excess water.
- Maintain electrolyte and water balance in the tissue fluids.
Endocrine functions
3. Erythropoietin, affects red blood cell formation;
4. Renin, influences blood pressure;
5. 1,25-di-hydroxycholecalciferol (active form of vitamin D), controls calcium absorption and mineral metabolism
below the kidneys?
what are the kidneys’ borders?
the inferior poles of the kidneys lie 2.5cm above the iliac crest
Lateral border = convex (curves out),
medial border = convex near the poles but concave (curves in) in middle at hilum
what are the posterior relations of the kidneys -
think -
1. superior part
2. muscles (medial to lateral)
3. vessels and nerves
- Superior part of the kidney is related to the 12th rib (and the 11th for the higher left kidney). Also the diaphragm
- Medial to lateral - three muscles - psoas major, quadratus lumborum and transversus abdominis
- From top to bottom, there are also vessels and three nerves on the posterior surface - subcostal vessels and nerve, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve
explain the arterial supply of the kidneys
Right renal and left renal arteries,(main one - which bifurcates - and also the accessory renal arteries)
these branch from abdominal aorta
they branch into several different branches (lobar, interlobar, arcuate and interlobular arteries) to supply the areas of the kidney
explain the venous drainage of the kidneys
Left and right renal veins (the most posterior), which drain into the IVC (IVC is on the right side, appearing bigger and darker)
describe and explain the inner structure of the kidney
Outer = cortex, inner = medulla
Cortex invaginates into the medulla as ‘cortical rays/columns’. The resultant triangular sections of medulla are known as renal pyramids
the points of these pyramids are known as the papilla which connect to…
the minor calyx which collect fluid from the pyramids. They join to form major calyx that join to form the renal pelvis (becomes ureter)
Cortex = glomerulus + convoluted tubules
Medulla = loop of Henle, collecting ducts and tubules
in terms of nephron arrangement, which structures are found in which areas of the kidney?
Cortex = glomerulus + convoluted tubules
Medulla = loop of Henle, collecting ducts and tubules
All the collecting ducts converge at the apex of the pyramid, which empties into the minor calyx - major - renal pelvis - ureter
a nephron is made of…?
a renal corpuscle = renal glomerulus with a tuft of capillaries
a long renal tubule = proximal CT, loop of Henle, distal CT, and collecting duct
describe the structure of the suprarenal glands and the respective functions
Superomedial border of the kidney, they look a bit like fat
Have a cortex and medulla
Cortex - sexual development as it secretes androgens
also secretes mineralocorticoids - produces aldosterone (blood ‘salt’) and cortisol (sugar balance)
Medulla - produces noradrenaline/ adrenaline
what is the blood supply of the suprarenal glands like?
Very rich arterial supply - superior, middle and inferior suprarenal arteries
the ureters - what are they?
Continuation of the renal pelvis, opens into the urinary system
The ureters are muscular tubes, 20-30 cm long, half abdominal half in pelvis. Has constrictions in several areas
Ureters = retroperitoneal
describe the course of the ureters
running along psoas major muscle
Enters lumbar cavity by crossing in front of the bifurcation of common iliac artery, in front of sacroiliac joint, until the ischial spine (you known the bit of the pelvis that looks like the butterfly, the ischial spines are the points made between the small wings and large wings)
Ends in urinary bladder at supero-lateral angles of bladder/trigone
