UROGENITAL (PART 1) Flashcards
What organs are superior (above) to the kidneys?
Adrenal glands
Where are the kidneys located?
Upper abdomen, behind the abdominal cavity
Partially covered by the liver (right) and spleen (left)
Level of the 12th rib
How do the kidneys receive blood?
Renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta
What is the path that urine takes from the kidneys to be expelled from the body?
Kidneys -> ureters -> bladder -> urethra
What is located on top of each kidney?
Adrenal gland (separate blood supply and nerves from kidneys)
Where does deoxygenated blood from the kidneys go?
Renal veins drain into the inferior vena cava
What are the main functions of the kidneys?
Regulate fluid volume and composition of body fluids (water, electrolytes, pH)
Excrete waste products (urea, creatinine)
Vitamin D synthesis, blood pressure regulation, erythropoietin (EPO) production
Describe the anatomical location of the kidneys
Retroperitoneal space, posterior abdominal wall
Level of 12th thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebrae
Protected by muscles, fascia, fat, and organs anteriorly and posteriorly
Perineal fat capsule and fasciae cushion and anchor the kidneys
What is the hilum of a kidney?
The indentation on the medial side of the kidney where blood vessels enter and other structures enters and leave
What are the layers of a kidney from outside to inside?
Fibrous capsule
Renal cortex (outer region)
Renal medulla (inner region)
Minor calyces (collecting urine)
Major calyces (collecting urine from minor calyces)
Ureter (draining urine to the bladder)
What is the main blood vessel supplying blood to the kidneys?
Renal artery, branching from the abdominal aorta
Trace the pathway of blood flow through the kidney arteries:
Renal artery -> segmental arteries -> lobar arteries -> interlobar arteries (toward cortex) -> arcuate arteries (arch over pyramids) -> interlobular arteries (cortical radiate arteries)
How do afferent arterioles differ from efferent arterioles
Afferent arterioles: carry blood toward the glomerulus for filtration
Efferent arterioles: carry blood away from the glomerulus after filtration
Describe the path of blood flow after the afferent arteriole:
Peritubular capillaries: run alongside the renal tubule for reabsorption
Vasa recta (optional): long vessels following the nephron loop (maintain the osmotic gradient in the medulla of the kidney)
Interlobular veins: drain blood from capillaries
Arcuate veins: drain interlobular veins
Renal vein: exits the kidney at the hilum
What are ureters and what do they do?
Two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
What is the structure of the ureters?
Approximately 28-34 cm long
Fibromuscular: a mix of fibrous and muscular tissue
How do ureters prevent backflow of urine to the kidneys?
Oblique angle of entry into the bladder creates a one-way valve effect
Muscles in the ureters and bladder pressure also contribute
What is vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)?
The abnormal flow of urine from the bladder to the kidneys
What are the two main types of VUR?
Primary VUR: a birth defect in the ureter valve
Secondary VUR: caused by a blockage in the bladder or urethra
How is urine moved through the ureters?
By peristalsis, a wave-like muscular contraction that propels urine forward
What is the bladder and where is it located?
A muscular sac-like organ in the pelvis that stores urine
Located below the abdominal cavity and behind the pubic bones
What is the structure of the bladder?
Thick smooth muscle walls
Lined with epithelial cells
What is the normal capacity of the bladder?
Around 300-500 ml
What is urinary retention?
The inability to empty the bladder
