Urinary Tract Anatomy Flashcards
(34 cards)
Are the kidneys intra or retro peritoneal?
Retroperitoneal.
Give the vertebral levels of each kidney.
Left T12 - L3
Right L1 - L4
What is the vertebral levels of the hilum of the kidneys?
Approximately L1 - L2.
Can the superior and/or inferior poles of the kidneys be palpated? If not, why?
The superior poles of the kidneys cannot be palpated as they are protected by the 11th and 12th ribs.
The inferior poles may be palpated between the lower border of rib 12 and the lateral border of the paravertebral muscles in a region called the renal angle.
What are the layers around the outside of the kidney?
- Renal capsule
- Perinephric fat
- Renal fascia
- Paranephric fat
How can an infection potentially spread from the left to right kidney and vice versa?
Via the renal fascia, which connects the kidneys.
Which renal artery is longer, left or right?
Right.
Does the right renal artery pass anterior or posterior to the IVC?
Posterior
What passes anterior to the left renal vein?
SMA.
What are the 2 main anatomical regions of the inside of the kidneys?
Cortex and medulla.
What shape are the medulla of the kidneys? What is at the apex of each medulla?
Inverted pyramid, with the renal papilla at each apex.
The final kidney develops from which 2 embryological structures?
- Ureteric bud
2. The intermediate mesoderm
What is the approximate length of the ureters?
25cm
What do the ureters link together?
The renal pelvis and the bladder.
As the ureters are travelling to the bladder, they run anterior to which bony structure?
They are running anterior to the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae.
Do the ureters pass anterior or posterior to the bifurcation of the common iliac arteries?
Anterior
What is the bloody supply of the ureters?
- Renal arteries
- Gonadal arteries
- Iliac arteries
List 3 anatomical narrowings of the ureters.
- Renal pelvic-ureteric junction (PUJ).
- Pelvic brim
- Vesicoureteric junction (VUJ).
What are the layers of smooth muscle in the ureters?
An inner longitudinal layer
An outer circular layer
An outer longitudinal layer only in lower 1/3rd of ureter.
What is the name of smooth muscle found in the wall of the bladder?
Detrusor muscle.
What are the 4 surfaces of the bladder?
Superior, posterior, 2 inferolateral.
What are the surface cells of the urothelium called?
Umbrella cells.
List 5 anatomical relations to the right kidney and whether these are in direct contact or separated by peritoneum.
- Suprarenal gland on superior pole - direct contact.
- Liver - separated by peritoneum.
- 2nd part of the duodenum - direct contact.
- Hepatic flexure on lateral side of inferior pole - direct contact.
- Small intestine on medial side of inferior pole - separated by peritoneum.
List 6 anatomical relations to the left kidney and whether these are in direct contact or separated by peritoneum.
- Suprarenal gland on superior pole - direct contact.
- Stomach - separated by peritoneum.
- Spleen - separated by peritoneum.
- Pancreas - direct contact.
- Splenic flexure - direct contact.
- Jejunum - separated by peritoneum.
