Lecture 1 Introduction, Gross Anatomy and Histology of the Urinary System

Question 1

The urinary system consists of

Answer 1

Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra

Question 2

Function of the urinary system

Answer 2

• Removes metabolic waste
• Regulates plasma electrolytes and blood pressure
• Help to stabilize the PH
• Reabsorption of small molecules
• Produces erythropoietin (a stimulant of RBC production by bone marrow)

Question 3

What is the anatomical position of the kidneys

Answer 3

• Lie retroperitoneal
• T12-L3
• Right kidney is lower than left due to liver
• Only partially peritonised

Question 4

Name the capsules and fasciae that surround the kidney

Answer 4

Renal Capsule
Perirenal fat
Pararenal fat
Renal fascia

Question 5

Describe the internal structure of the kidney

Answer 5

Medulla
Pyramid
Papilla
Minor calyx
Major calyx
Pelvis
Ureter

Question 6

Describe the blood supply of renal lobes

Answer 6

Each lobe has its own blood supply and they are functionally independent

Question 7

What are the 3 constrictions of the ureter

Answer 7

Abdominal- over inferior renal pole
Pelvic brim- ureter crosses over external iliac vessels
Intramural- ureter transverses bladder wall

Question 8

Name the segments of the kidney from superior to inferior

Answer 8

Apical
Antero-superior 
Antero-inferior
Inferior
Posterior

Question 9

Where do the renal veins drain into

Answer 9

IVC

Question 10

What is the lymphatic drainage of the kidneys

Answer 10

Lateral aortic lymph nodes

Question 11

What is the nerve supply of the kidneys

Answer 11

• Renal plexus: sympathetic T10-L1

* Sensory afferent T11-L2

Question 12

Name the folds in the bladder

Answer 12

Medial umbilical fold (remnant or urachus)

Lateral umbilical fold

Question 13

Describe the urethra in women

Answer 13

Short

External urethral sphincter

Question 14

Describe the urethra in men

Answer 14

• Intramural (preprostatic)
• Prostatic (widest)
• Membranous (narrowest)
• Penile (longest)

Question 15

Whats the widest segment of the male urethra

Answer 15

Prostatic

Question 16

Whats the narrowest segment of the male urethra

Answer 16

membranous

Question 17

Whats the longest segment of the male urethra

Answer 17

Penile

Question 18

What is the innervation of the urinary bladder

Answer 18

Hypogatsirc nerve T12-L2

Question 19

What is the function of the hypogastric nerve in the bladder

Answer 19

It causes relaxation of the detrusor muscle, promoting urine retention. Constricts internal urethral sphincter during ejaculation

Question 20

What is the function of the parasympathetic pelvic nerve (S2-S4)

Answer 20

Increased signals from this nerve causes contraction of the detrusor muscle, stimulating micturition.

Question 21

What is the function of the somatic nerves on the bladder (pudendal nerve) (S2-S4)

Answer 21

It innervates the external urethral sphincter, providing voluntary control over micturition.

Question 22

Describe the bladder stretch reflex

Answer 22

1. Bladder fills with urine
2. Bladder walls stretch
3. Sensory nerves detect stretch and transmit this information to the spinal cord
4. Interneurons within the spinal cord relay the signal to the parasympathetic efferents (pelvic nerve)
5. The pelvic nerve acts to contract the detrusor muscle and stimulate micturition

Question 23

What makes up the nephron

Answer 23

Renal corpuscle and Renal tubules

Question 24

What makes up the renal corpuscle

Answer 24

Glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule

Question 25

What makes up the uniferous tubule

Answer 25

Nephron and collecting duct

Question 26

Name common developmental anomalies of the kidney

Answer 26

Horseshoe kidney
Aberrant renal arteries
Pelvic kidney
Unilateral double kidneys
Double ureter