Week 1 - Anatomy of the Kidney Flashcards
State the vertebral level of each kidney
Right - T12-13
Left - T11-12
State the approximate dimensions of the kidneys
11-12cm long, 5 - 7.5cm wide and 2 - 3cm thick
Describe the layers of the outer structure of the kidney from deep to superficial
Renal capsule - tough/fibrous
Perirenal fat
Renal fascia - enclose kidneys and adrenal glands
In which part of the kidney would you find the renal pyramids?
The cortex
What are the apices of the renal pyramids called?
Renal papillae
Describe the pathway of fluid through the macrostructures of the urinary system
Renal pyramids - renal papillae - minor calyces - major calyces - renal pelvis - ureters - bladder - urethra
Are the kidneys peritoneal or retroperitoneal organs?
Retroperitoneal
What is the renal hilum, and what is its function?
A deep fissure at the medial margin of each kidney.
Acts as a gateway for the renal vessels and ureter to enter/exit kidney
Which artery supplies the kidneys with blood?
Renal arteries (one on each side)
Where do the renal arteries arise from and at what point?
The abdominal aorta, just inferiorly to the origin of the SMA
Which renal artery is slightly longer, and why?
The right is longer - the aorta is slightly left of the midline.
Which vessel does the right renal artery have to cross, and in which direction?
The IVC - crosses it posteriorly
Describe the divisions of the renal arteries upon entering the hilum
Renal arteries –> Segmental arteries –>Interlobar arteries –>
Arcuate arteries
Where are the interlobar arteries situated?
Either side of each renal pyramid
Where do the interlobular arteries arise from, and what do they divide to form?
Arise at 90 to the arcuate arteries
Divide to form afferent arterioles
Describe the blood flow into and out of the glomerulus
Blood enters via afferent arterioles.
These then form a capillary network to allow filtration
Blood then leaves via the efferent arterioles
Which sort of nephrons are present in the outer 2/3rds of the cortex, and why is this significant in terms in blood flow?
Cortical nephrons - efferent arterioles form peritubular capillaries
What are vasa recta?
Long, straight capillaries which supply the tubules of juxtamedullary nephrons, i.e. in the inner 1/3rd of the cortex
Which veins allow drainage from the kidney, and where do they empty into?
Renal veins
Empty directly into IVC
Which renal vein is longer, which vessel must it cross, and in which direction?
Left renal vein longer as IVC is slightly right of midline.
Crosses aorta anteriorly to reach IVC
Apart from the aorta, which other vessel does the left renal vein cross on its way to the IVC?
Does it cross anteriorly or posteriorly?
SMA, posteriorly
What is the renal hilum, and what is its function?
A deep fissure at the medial margin of each kidney.
Acts as a gateway for the renal vessels and ureter to enter/exit kidney
Which artery supplies the kidneys with blood?
Renal arteries (one on each side)
Where do the renal arteries arise from?
The abdominal aorta, just inferiorly to the origin of the SMA
