Session 1 - Introduction Flashcards
Where are the kidney located?
between T12 and L3
• Retroperitoneum on the posterior abdominal wall, either side of the vertebral column.
superior pole of right kidney = 11-12th rib
superior pole of left kidney = 12th rib
At what level are the hila and ureters found?
Level of L1 vertebra
Level of L1 vertebra
Descend anterior to the transverse processes of the lower lumbar vertebrae
What muscle do the kidneys sit on?
psoas major
What crosses the ureter in the pelvis in men and women?
In men Vas deferens crosses over the ureters. In women uterine artery crosses over it.
What is the normal length, width and mass of a kidney?
Length 9-14cm, width 6-7 cm, 140g
Which kidney is slightly higher and why?
left
- liver on right side pushing right kidney down
A difference of more than what length/width between kidneys requires further investigation?
2cm
A length of less than what may indicate CKD?
<8cm
What is the renal angle and what happens here during kidney inflammation?
Angle between 12th rib and erector spinae muscle. Renal angle tenderness.
What are the 2 main types of fat around the kidneys and where are they found?
Pararenal (external to posterior layer or renal fascia) and perirenal fat (within the renal fascial layers)
why is the kidney not fixed and can move?
they are not tethered by any ligaments
- fascia and fat anchor it in space
What is the posterior layer of renal fascia called?
Garota’s fascia
What is the length and diameter of ureter?
25-30cm length, 1.5mm diameter
What are the 3 different parts of the ureters?
Abdominal, pelvic and intramural
Where is the most common area of ureteric injury? What are the 3 common sites of ureteric injury?
Near pelvic brim
- Pelvic brim
- Beneath uterine artery
- At VUJ
How/where do the ureters enter the bladder wall and what do they coalesce with?
Runs obliquely through the bladder wall and coalesces with the detrusor muscle. Enter into the bladder more inferiorly.
What is the length of the intramural ureters?
1.2-2.5cm
What is the vesicouretal junction (VUJ) and is there a sphincter present here?
Junciton between the ureters and the bladder, there in no sphincter present
How is urine reflux into the ureters prevented without presence of sphincters?
Ureters pass diagonally through the bladder wall musculature, forming a one way flap valve, the internal pressure of filling bladder causing the intramural passage to collapse
Which part of the urinary tract is lined with urothelium?
Pelvis of the kindeys, ureters and bladder
What are some different positional changes of the ureters?
a) Both ureters entering one side of the bladder
b) Duplexed ureter both entering the bladder
c) Duplexed ureter, one not entering the bladder
d) Retrocaval position of the right ureter around the IVC
What can a duplexed ureter where one does not enter the bladder cause?
Urinary infection
What is the trigone?
Smooth triangular region of the internal urinary bladder formed by the two internal ureteric orifices and the internal urethral orifice