URINARY SYSTEM AND KIDNEY Flashcards
Where are the adrenal glands and what is their significance in the urinary system?
No significance; look like christmas hats on the kidneys. Though, they are supplied by segmental artery that also supplies each segment of the kidneys
Where are the kidneys located? (In terms of vertebrae)
T12-L3: T12-L1 is left and L1-L3 is right
Where do the kidneys attach?
To the posterior abdominal wall ON the Quadratus Lumborum, but can be mobile because the diaphragm on top moves them during inspiration (They are RETROPERITINEAL)
Where does the hilum of the kidneys face?
anteromedially. This is because of the vertebrae; psoas major muscle, then quadratus lumborum, then kidney. So hilum faces forwards a little
Describe the posterior features of the kidney
directly attached to quadratus lumborum, and also partially ouches the psoas major muscle
What are the layers of the kidney?
From outside to in:
- Renal capsule
- Perinephric fat
- Renal fascia
Describe the kidney structures (anatomical)
- Cortex: outer
- Medulla: inner with base and apex; base is superior
- Calyx: major and minor
- Renal pelvis
Describe the pathway of urine in the bladder
Secreted from the medulla, goes to the apex of medulla, into the minor calyx, they join to make the major calyx, then go to the renal pelvis.
Describe the renal hilum + positioning
From front to back: Vein, on top of artery, which is on top of the renal pelvis
Is the left or right renal vein longer? Why?
Left renal vein is longer because IVC sits closer to the right side
Where do the renal arteries originate? What do they do?
They are paired branches from the abdominal aorta. They branch into segmental arteries in the kidney and supply each FIVE SEGMENTAL RENAL SEGMENTS
Describe the segments of the kidney
There are 5. they are all functionally independent. They are all supplied by their own segmental arteries.
Describe the development of the kidneys
During development, the kidneys are developed lower down in the pelvis. Then they move upwards because the posterior abdominal wall (QL) grows faster than the kidneys. Each level the kidney moves up, it must receive new blood supply.
What are accessory arteries?
The arteries that stick around after the kidney has fully developed- remember that the posterior abdominal wall (QL) that the kidney attaches to grows faster than the kidney itself- so it takes the kidney with it + new blood supply
Describe the anatomical pathway of the ureter
Stems out of the kidneys via the renal pelvis, stems down to the abdomen. Moves OVER the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae and cross the pelvic brim, then enters the bladder.
