Urinary System and Kidneys

Flashcards about the urinary system and kidney anatomy, function, and pathology

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

The nephron

What are the functions of the kidney?

Produce urine/removes waste, influences blood pressure, volume and intake of salt and water, regulates serum electrolytes, regulates acid-base balance

What is the function of the ureter?

Transports urine from kidney to bladder

What is the function of the bladder?

Collects and stores urine

What is the function of the urethra?

Carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

Where are the kidneys located?

Between the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae in the retroperitoneal cavity

What is the outer portion of the kidney called?

Renal cortex

What does the renal cortex contain?

Glomerular capsules and convoluted tubules

What is the inner portion of the renal parenchyma called?

Medulla

What is the central portion of the kidney called?

Renal sinus

What does the renal sinus contain?

Major and minor calyces, peripelvic fat, fibrous tissues, arteries, veins, lymphatics and part of the renal pelvis

From what does the main renal artery arise?

Lateral aspect of the aorta

What could abnormal lab values indicate?

A reason for kidney examination

Give examples of abnormal lab values:

UTI, Flank pain, Hematuria, Hypertension, Decreased urine output, Trauma

What is a normal creatinine level?

0.6-1.2 mg/dL

What does increased creatinine indicate?

Renal failure, chronic nephritis or urinary obstruction

What is a normal BUN level?

11-23 mg/dL

What does elevated BUN indicate?

Urinary obstruction, renal dysfunction, or dehydration

What does decreased BUN indicate?

Over hydration, pregnancy, liver failure, smoking and inadequate protein consumption

What is hematuria?

Visible or microscopic red blood cells in the urine

What is proteinuria?

Abnormal amount of proteins in the urine

What is the normal kidney size in adults?

9-12cm long, 4-5cm wide, Minimum of 1cm in cortical thickness

How does the cortex appear in the kidney?

Fine, moderate-low level echogenicity; Less echogenic compared to the liver parenchyma

How does the medulla appear in the kidney?

Hypoechoic (can appear anechoic)

How does the renal sinus appear in the kidney?

Hyperechoic, echogenic

What is the most common kidney variant?

Dromedary hump

What is a Dromedary hump?

Cortical bulge on the lateral aspect of the kidney

What is an extra renal pelvis?

Renal pelvis extrudes from the renal hilum

What is fetal lobulation?

Lobulations in the renal contour

What is a hypertrophied column of Bertin?

Enlarged column of Bertin that extends from the cortex to the renal pelvis

What is Junctional Parenchymal Defect?

Embryonic remnant of the fusion site between the upper and lower portions of the kidney

Name a congenital anomaly of the kidney:

Agenesis, Cake kidney, Crossed fused ectopia, Duplication, Horseshoe kidney, Pelvic kidney, Sigmoid kidney

What is the most common form of renal fusion?

Horseshoe Kidney

Name a cystic pathology of the kidney:

Simple cyst, Complex cyst, Parapelvic cyst, Peripelvic cyst, Polycystic kidney disease, Multicystic dysplasia

List characteristics of a simple cyst:

Smooth, thin, well-defined border, Round or oval shape, Sharp interface between the cyst and renal parenchyma, No internal echoes (anechoic), Increased posterior acoustic enhancement

What is an inherited disorder with normal renal parenchyma replaced with cysts?

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Name an inflammatory condition of the kidney:

Renal abscess, Acute tubular necrosis (ATN), Chronic renal failure, Glomerulonephritis, Pyelonephritis

What is the most common renal disease to produce acute renal failure?

Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)

List causes of Chronic Renal Failure:

Glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, renal vascular disease, diabetes

What is an inflammatory condition in which bacteria ascends from the bladder?

Pyelonephritis

What are complications from pyelonephritis?

Infected kidney becomes obstructed and pus accumulates

What is obstruction to the urinary tract?

Hydronephrosis

A stone formed within the kidney due to urinary stasis is called:

Nephrolithiasis

Name a benign pathology of the kidney:

Adenoma, Angiomyolipoma, Lipoma, Renal sinus lipomatosis

What is the most common benign renal tumor?

Angiomyolipoma

Deposits of fat in the renal sinus with parenchymal atrophy is called:

Renal Sinus Lipomatosis

Name a malignant pathology of the kidney:

Renal cell carcinoma, Transitional cell carcinoma, Wilms tumor

What is the most common abdominal malignancy in children?

Wilms Tumor

Name a vascular disorder of the kidney:

Renal artery stenosis, Renal artery aneurysm, Renal vein thrombosis, Renal vein tumor

What is blockage in the renal artery causing obstruction or narrowing?

Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS)

What is a process of diffusing blood across a membrane to remove substances a normal kidney would eliminate?

Renal Dialysis

Where is a transplanted kidney usually placed?

Anterior iliac fossa

The superior portion of the bladder is called:

Apex

The inferior portion of the bladder continuous with the urethra is called:

Neck

The region between the apex and neck is called:

Trigone

Name a congenital abnormality of the urinary bladder:

Bladder diverticulum, Bladder ureterocele, Urachal sinus

What is a weakness in the bladder walls that causes an outpouching?

Bladder Diverticulum

What is a ligament that extends from the belly button to the bladder as apart of normal fetal development?

Urachal Sinus

Name a pathology of the urinary bladder:

Bladder sludge, Bladder calculus, Bladder polyp, Cystitis, Bladder malignancy

What is stagnant urine that becomes thick?

Bladder Sludge

What is infection in the bladder?

Cystitis