Kidneys

Question 1

Kidneys - Location, Structure, Function

Answer 1

Location: Lie obliquely in the paravertebral gutters on the posterior abdominal wall. Extending from approximately T12 to L3. Rt kidney is crowned by the liver so sits lower than the Lt. Rib 12 overlies the upper pole of Rt kidney. Rib 11 overlies the upper pole of Lt kidney.
Structure:
Function: Urine formation and endocrine and metabolic functions. Including blood cell production, blood pressure regulation, converting inactive vitamin D into it’s active form and gluconeogenesis.

Question 2

Kindeys - Features

Answer 2

Superior pole
Inferior pole
Medial border
Lateral border
Hilum - renal vein, artery and pelvis
Renal capsule
Perinephric fat
Cortex
Medulla
Renal columns
Renal pyramids
Renal papillae
Minor calyces
Major calyces 
Ureters

Question 3

Kidneys - Nephron Location, Structure, Function

Answer 3

Location: Basic functional unit of the kidney located in the cortex and medulla and draining into minor calyces.
Structure: Made of 2 components, renal corpuscle and renal tubule and collecting duct. Each of those components then has several additional parts?
Function: Blood filtration and urine formation

Question 4

Kidneys - Nephron Features

Answer 4

Renal corpuscle - Glomerulus, glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
Renal tubule + collecting duct - Proximal convoluted tubule, nephron loop (loop of Henle), distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct