week 2 (urinary system and arterial supply to pelvis)

Question 1

What is the size and weight of the kidney?

Answer 1

size = 10 x 5 x 2.5 
weight = 130 grams

Question 2

how much blood do the kidneys process per minute?

Answer 2

1.2 litres

Question 3

where are the kidneys situated in regards to the abdominal cavity?

Answer 3

Retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneal cavity)

Question 4

Where are the kidneys found anatomically?

Answer 4

extend from the level of T12 to L3
(right kidney sits lower to the left as a result of the liver)
upper pole of the right kidney overlies the 12th rib, whereas the upper pole of the left kidney overlies the 11th rib

Question 5

How far vertically do the kidneys move during respiration?

Answer 5

2cm as a result of ecursion of the diaphragm

Question 6

what shape are the borders of the kidney?

Answer 6

Medial border = concave

Lateral border = convex

Question 7

What is perinephric fat and what is its role?

Answer 7

fat on the outside of the renal capsule, is involved in retaining kidney position

Question 8

What are the related structures to the kidney?

Answer 8

Superiorly:
Diaphragm
Posteriorly:
Lower ribs
Quadratus lumborum
Psoas
Transverse abdominis
Diaphragm
costodiaphragmatic recess of pleura
iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
Anteriorly:
Right:
Liver, duodenum, ascending colon
Left:
Stomach, Spleen, pancreas, jejunum, descending colon

Question 9

What is the hilum and where is it found?

Answer 9

found about 5cm lateral to the midline of the kidney on the transpyloric plane.
It is a hollow situated on the surface of an organ, where structures such as blood vessles, nerve fibres and ducts enter and leave.
The hila extend into a large cavity known as the renal sinus

Question 10

What is the transpyloric plane and what crosses it??

Answer 10

It is a horizontal plane at the level of L1 and is found midway between the jugular notch and the pubic symphysis
crosses over:
pyloric orifice
body of the pancreas
Kidneys
inferior aspect of left hila of kidney
superior aspect of right hila of the kidney

Question 11

What enters the renal hila anterior to posterior?

Answer 11

Renal vein
renal artery (accompanied by autonomic nerves and lymphatics)
pelvis of the ureter

Question 12

What is the renal pelvis?

Answer 12

A funnel shaped structure at the beginning of the ureter. Has a capacity of 5 ml

Question 13

What is the arterial supply to the kidneys?

Answer 13

two renal arteries which branch off from the aorta at right angles and arise at the level of L1/2 intervertebral disc

Question 14

What is the nerve supply to the kidneys?

Answer 14

Autonomic nervous system:
T10-11 sympathetics, pre-ganglionic through the T splanchnic nerves, post ganglionic through the coeliac and renal ganglia
Parasympathetic nervous system:
Vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 15

Structure of the kidney

Answer 15

Contains:
Cortex (outer shell, wider part around the outside)
Renal colums (lie between the pyramids)
Pyramids
Papilla (pointed tip of the medullary pyramid)
Nephron (functional unit of the kidney)
major and minor calyces

Question 16

What are the functions of the kidney?

Answer 16

Filter blood (1.2 litres per minute)
Remove wastes and toxins
assist in regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance