ANATOMY OF URINARY SYSTEM Flashcards
(27 cards)
Where do kidneys extend from and to in terms of vertebral level?
T12 to L3
Explain how the kidneys differ in anatomical position?
The right kidney is usually an inch lower due to the presence of the large right lobe of the liver
Describe the layers surrounding the kidneys from superficial to deep?
Renal capsule
Perirenal fat
Renal fascia
Pararenal fat
What enters and leaves at the renal hilum?
Renal vein, renal artery, nerves, lymph vessels and ureter
Describe how the renal parenchyma is organised?
We have an outer cortex and an inner medulla
The outer cortex extends into the medulla through renal pyramids
Describe the structure of the renal pyramids?
The middle of the pyramids is the medullary rays, the apex is the renal papilla
Each papilla is associated with a minocalyx and several minocalyxs combine to form a major calyx
What’s the function of the minor calyx?
To collect urine from the renal pyramids
The urine then moves into the major calices, into the renal pelvis and then into the ureter
Describe the difference in structure of the renal artery in the r and l kidney?
The right renal artery is longer and crosses the veins cava posteriorly, this is because the abdominal aorta is slightly to the left of the midline
Outline the movement of blood through the arteries in the kidney?
Renal artery splits into segmental arteries which split into interlobar arteries which run either side of the renal pyramids. These then split into arcuate arteries, then interlobular arteries and finally afferent arteriolar which form the glomerulus (same for veins but backwards)
How long are ureters?
About 25cm long
What is the uteropelvic junction?
Where the renal pelvis becomes the ureter
What does the ureter run alongside?
It descends along the anterior surface of the psoas major
Where do the ureters enter the bladder?
on the posterior bladder aspect in the trigone.
What is the trigone?
A triangular area within the fundus of the bladder which has smooth walls - structurally different
What embryologically forms the trigone?
The caudal end of the mesonephric ducts
Describe the structure of the bladder?
Has an apex superiority, a body, a fundus and a neck which is continuous with the urethra
What’s the histology of the ureter?
Stratified transitional epithelium
What the histology of the bladder?
Transitional epithelium
What’s the histology of the urethra and why is it suited for function?
Stratified columnar epithelium
Mucus glands protect it from the corrosive urine
How long is the male urethra?
15-20 cm long
How long is the female urethra?
4cm long
What are the 3 anatomical regions of the male urethra?
Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra
Spongy urethra
Describe prostatic urethra?
Starts as a continuation of thr bladder neck and runs till the prostate gland
Describe the spongy urethra?
Has bulbous urethra which is at the bulb of the penis and the pendulous urethra which runs the length of the penis
