Uni Week 1 Notes Flashcards
(35 cards)
Identify the location of the kidneys and their position relative to surrounding structures and organs
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs typically located on either side of the vertebral column extending from approximately the T12 to L3 vertebrae[cite: 8 They are positioned posterior to the peritoneum and anterior to the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall[cite: 8].
Describe the changes in kidney position with respiration and body position
The kidneys are mobile organs and can shift their position with respiration descending with inspiration and with changes in body position such as moving from supine to upright[cite: 9].
Describe the renal fascia and the adipose capsule of the kidneys
The kidneys are enveloped by a fibrous renal capsule which is then surrounded by an adipose capsule (perirenal fat)[cite: 10 This adipose capsule is enclosed by the renal fascia (Gerota’s fascia) which anchors the kidneys to surrounding structures and helps hold them in place[cite: 10].
Understand the arterial blood supply of the kidneys including the origins pathways and branching patterns of the renal arteries within the kidneys
The kidneys receive their arterial blood supply primarily from the renal arteries which originate directly from the abdominal aorta[cite: 11 Within the kidney the renal artery typically divides into segmental arteries which then branch into interlobar arteries arcuate arteries and interlobular arteries supplying blood to the renal cortex and medulla[cite: 11].
Describe the venous drainage of the kidneys and identify the main tributaries that contribute to the formation of the renal veins such as the interlobar veins and arcuate veins
Venous drainage of the kidneys occurs via the renal veins which typically drain into the inferior vena cava[cite: 12 Within the kidney the venous drainage largely mirrors the arterial supply with interlobular veins draining into arcuate veins then into interlobar veins and finally converging to form the renal vein[cite: 12].
Identify the origin of renal nerves and the innervation pathway to the kidneys
The renal nerves primarily originate from the renal plexus which receives sympathetic innervation from the T10-L1 segments of the spinal cord[cite: 13 These nerves follow the renal arteries to innervate the kidneys[cite: 13].
Define the structures that comprise the renal hilum
The renal hilum is the concave medial border of the kidney where structures such as the renal artery renal vein and renal pelvis enter and exit the kidney[cite: 15].
Identify the renal cortex with renal columns renal medulla and renal pyramids and understand the microstructures found within these internal structures of the kidney
Internally the kidney consists of an outer renal cortex and an inner renal medulla[cite: 17 The renal cortex extends into the medulla as renal columns separating the renal pyramids of the medulla[cite: 17 The medulla contains conical structures called renal pyramids[cite: 17 Microstructures within these regions include nephrons collecting ducts and associated vasculature[cite: 17].
Describe the structures of the renal pelvis including the minor and major calyces
The renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure located within the renal hilum formed by the convergence of major calyces[cite: 18 The major calyces in turn are formed by the joining of several minor calyces which collect urine from the renal papillae at the apex of the renal pyramids[cite: 18].
Identify the path of urine drainage by the kidney
Urine produced by the nephrons drains into collecting ducts then into the renal papillae followed by the minor calyces major calyces renal pelvis ureter bladder and finally exits the body via the urethra[cite: 19].
Identify the components of the renal corpuscle
The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus a tuft of capillaries and Bowman’s capsule (or glomerular capsule) which surrounds the glomerulus[cite: 22].
Compare and contrast the structural and functional differences between a cortical nephron and a juxtamedullary nephron
Cortical nephrons have short loops of Henle that primarily remain in the renal cortex while juxtamedullary nephrons have long loops of Henle that extend deep into the renal medulla[cite: 23 Juxtamedullary nephrons play a crucial role in the production of concentrated urine[cite: 23].
Differentiate between the histology of the glomerular capsule renal tubules and collecting duct
The glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule) has a parietal layer of simple squamous epithelium and a visceral layer composed of podocytes[cite: 24 The renal tubules (proximal convoluted tubule loop of Henle distal convoluted tubule) exhibit different epithelial cell types and brush borders depending on their function[cite: 24 Collecting ducts are lined with principal cells and intercalated cells[cite: 24].
Define the basic renal processes of glomerular filtration tubular reabsorption tubular secretion
Glomerular filtration is the process by which blood plasma is filtered from the glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule[cite: 25 Tubular reabsorption is the selective return of substances from the renal tubule back into the blood[cite: 25 Tubular secretion is the selective transfer of substances from the blood into the renal tubule for excretion[cite: 25].
Describe the sequential events and key developmental stages involved in the formation of the urinary system
The urinary system develops from intermediate mesoderm and involves sequential stages of kidney formation: pronephros mesonephros and metanephros[cite: 28 32].
Identify the different sources of cells that contribute to the formation of specific structures within the urinary system such as the nephrons and collecting ducts
Nephrons develop from the metanephric blastema (metanephric mesoderm) while the collecting ducts renal calyces renal pelvis and ureter develop from the ureteric bud an outgrowth of the mesonephric duct[cite: 29].
Describe the three stages in kidney formation during embryonic development. (Pronephros mesonephros and metanephros)
The pronephros is the most rudimentary and transient stage[cite: 32 The mesonephros develops next and functions for a short period during embryonic life[cite: 32 The metanephros is the definitive kidney that develops last and becomes the permanent kidney[cite: 32].
Describe the process of nephrogenesis including the differentiation of the metanephric blastema formation of nephron structures and establishment of the renal vasculature
Nephrogenesis involves the induction of the metanephric blastema by the ureteric bud leading to the differentiation of the blastema into renal vesicles which then develop into S-shaped bodies forming the renal corpuscle and renal tubules[cite: 33 Concurrently blood vessels invade the developing nephron to establish the renal vasculature[cite: 33].
Explain the process of embryonic development of the rest of the urinary system including the formation of ureters bladder and urethra
The ureters develop from the ureteric buds[cite: 37 The bladder and urethra develop from the urogenital sinus[cite: 37 39].
Explain the purpose of the urorectal septum
The urorectal septum is a mesodermal ridge that divides the cloaca into an anterior urogenital sinus and a posterior anorectal canal[cite: 38].
Discuss the origin and development of the bladder from the urogenital sinus
The bladder primarily develops from the vesical part of the urogenital sinus[cite: 39 The cranial part of the urogenital sinus forms the urinary bladder[cite: 39].
Compare and contrast the embryological development of the urethra between males and females
In males the urethra is formed from the phallic part of the urogenital sinus and the fusion of the urethral folds[cite: 40 In females the urethra is much shorter and develops from the vesical and pelvic parts of the urogenital sinus with the urethral folds remaining separate[cite: 40].
Discuss the aetiology clinical findings morphological features and management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
Autosomal dominant PKD is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes leading to the development of numerous cysts in the kidneys[cite: 44 Clinical findings include hypertension renal pain hematuria and progressive renal failure[cite: 44 Morphological features involve bilaterally enlarged kidneys with multiple cysts of varying sizes[cite: 44 Management focuses on controlling symptoms blood pressure and slowing the progression of renal disease often requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation in end-stage renal disease[cite: 44].
Discuss the aetiology clinical findings morphological features and management of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease
Autosomal recessive PKD is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the PKHD1 gene leading to the formation of multiple small cysts in the collecting ducts[cite: 45 It often presents in infancy or childhood with enlarged kidneys hypertension and liver involvement[cite: 45 Management is supportive focusing on treating hypertension renal failure and liver complications[cite: 45].
