Kidneys

Question 1

Vertebral level of the kidneys

Answer 1

T12 to L3

Question 2

Answer 2

Question 3

Answer 3

Question 4

Answer 4

Question 5

Renal fascia

Answer 5

Renal fascia (also known as Gerota’s fascia or perirenal fascia) – encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands.

Question 6

Anatomical relation of the right kidney

Answer 6

Question 7

Layers surrounding kidneys from superficial to deep:

Answer 7

Pararenal fat – mainly located on the posterolateral aspect of the kidney.

Renal fascia (also known as Gerota’s fascia or perirenal fascia) – encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands.

Perirenal fat – collection of extraperitoneal fat.

Renal capsule – tough fibrous capsule.

Question 8

Anatomical relations of the left kidney

Answer 8

Question 9

Lymphatic drainage of the kidneys

Answer 9

lateral aortic (or para-aortic) lymph nodes,

Question 10

Blood supply to kidneys

Answer 10

Renal blood flow: renal artery → anterior and posterior branches → segmental arteries → lobar arteries → interlobar arteries → arcuate arteries → interlobular arteries → afferent arteriole → glomerulus → efferent arteriole → vasa recta (→ venous system)

Question 11

Venous drainage of kidney

Answer 11

A single vein exits each kidney at the hilum anterior to the renal artery and drains into the vena cava.

The left renal vein is longer than the right renal vein because it runs a longer course to the inferior vena cava, which is situated on the right side of the body.

The left renal vein crosses the midline between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).

The left suprarenal and gonadal veins drain into the left renal vein, whereas on the right, they drain directly into the vena cava.

Question 12

Innervation of the kidney

Answer 12

Sympathetic trunk → renal plexus surrounding each renal artery

No parasympathetic innervation has been established