Anatomy and Embryology of the Renal and Pelvic Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy and embryology of the kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra, and pelvic wall based on the lecture transcripts.

Quadratus lumborum

A muscle from the iliac crest to the last rib and lumbar vertebra that performs extension and lateral flexion of the trunk.

Psoas major muscle

A muscle extending from $T12-L4$ to the lesser trochanter of the femur, involved in flexion of the hip and trunk.

Lumbar plexus

A nervous plexus with a root value of $L2 - L4$ located within the substance of the psoas major muscle.

Morris parallelogram

A surface marking for the kidney defined by two horizontal lines ($T11$ and $L3$ spine) and two vertical lines ($2.5$ and $9\,cm$ from the median plane).

Renal angle

The angle between the lower border of the $12^{th}$ rib and the lateral border of the erector spinae muscle; it is the site of tenderness in pyelonephritis.

Renal fascia (fascial capsule)

A tough fibrous tissue around the kidney and adrenal glands that helps anchor the kidney in position.

Ureter length

A fibromuscular tube approximately $25\,cm$ long connecting the kidney to the urinary bladder.

Sites of ureteric constriction

The ureteropelvic junction, the pelvic brim (at the common iliac artery bifurcation), and the vesicoureteral junction.

Pronephros

The first kidney stage to appear in the $4^{th}$ week in the cervical region; it is temporary and non-functioning.

Metanephros

The third, permanent kidney to appear in the $5^{th}$ week, originating from the ureteric bud and the metanephric cap.

Ureteric bud

An embryological structure that forms the drainage components including the calyces, renal pelvis, and ureter.

Metanephric cap (blastema)

The embryological tissue that forms the nephrons, including the Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.

Renal agenesis

A congenital abnormality resulting from the failure of the ureteric bud to develop or its mid-degeneration; unilateral is common while bilateral is fatal.

Horseshoe kidney

A condition where both kidneys fuse at their ends and fail to ascend, typically hooking under the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Urinary bladder location in adults

Located in the lesser pelvis when empty; as it fills, it enters the greater pelvis and may ascend to the level of the umbilicus.

Trigone

The smooth, triangular area of mucosa at the base of the bladder bounded by the two openings of the ureters and the internal urethral orifice.

Detrusor muscle

The smooth muscle of the bladder wall controlled by parasympathetic fibers from $S2$, $S3$, and $S4$, which contracts during micturition.

Internal urethral sphincter (sphincter vesicae)

Smooth muscle fibers at the bladder neck controlled by sympathetic fibers ($T11-L2$) to prevent urinary leakage and retrograde ejaculation.

Spastic bladder

A condition resulting from spinal cord lesions above the sacral level where the detrusor responds to minimum stretch, causing urge incontinence.

Atonic bladder

Loss of pelvic splanchnic motor innervation due to sacral lesions, resulting in a full bladder with a continuous dribble of urine.

Prostatic urethra

The widest and most dilatable part of the male urethra ($3\,cm$ long) that extends from the bladder neck through the prostate.

Female urethra length

A short, nearly straight tube approximately $4\,cm$ in length, making urinary tract infections more common than in males.

Gynecoid pelvis

The typical female pelvis shape characterized by a round inlet, wide subpubic angle ($\geq 90^{\circ}$), and a wide pubic arch.

Android pelvis

The typical male pelvis shape featuring a heart-shaped inlet and a narrow subpubic angle ($<90^{\circ}$).

Levator ani

A pelvic floor muscle consisting of three parts: puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus.

Urogenital diaphragm

A triangle-shaped muscle layer formed by the external sphincter urethrae and deep transverse perineal muscles.

Alcock's canal (Pudendal canal)

A fascial canal formed by the obturator fascia on the lateral wall of the ischioanal fossa containing the pudendal nerve and internal pudendal vessels.

Internal iliac artery

The main arterial supply of the pelvis which begins at the level of the disc between $L5$ and $S1$, dividing into anterior and posterior divisions.

Pudendal nerve

A nerve with root value $S2$, $S3$, and $S4$ that innervates the external anal sphincter and the muscles of the perineum.

Perineal body

An irregular pyramidal fibromuscular mass that acts as an attachment point for various pelvic floor and perineal muscles.