Gross Anatomy of the Kidney Flashcards
7 cards from real Anatomy Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gross Anatomy of the Kidney flashcards as text
Which surface of the kidney faces the vertebral column?
Answer: Posterior surface
The posterior surface of the kidney faces the posterior abdominal wall and vertebral column.
The renal hilum is located on which aspect of the kidney?
Answer: Medial border
The renal hilum is a vertical slit on the medial border through which vessels, nerves, and the ureter pass.
What is the correct order of structures within the renal hilum from anterior to posterior?
Answer: Vein, artery, pelvis
From anterior to posterior within the hilum, the order is renal vein, renal artery, and renal pelvis (VAP).
Which vertebral levels correspond to the renal arteries' origin from the aorta?
Answer: L1–L2
The renal arteries arise from the lateral aspect of the abdominal aorta at vertebral levels L1–L2.
Which structure lies immediately anterior to the left kidney?
Answer: Stomach
The stomach lies directly anterior to the upper portion of the left kidney.
The renal fascia (Gerota's fascia) is derived from which tissue?
Answer: Transversalis fascia
Gerota's fascia is a condensation of the transversalis (extraperitoneal) fascia that surrounds the kidney and suprarenal gland.
A renal carcinoma spreading within Gerota's fascia most likely involves which adjacent gland?
Answer: Suprarenal (adrenal) gland
The suprarenal gland shares Gerota's fascia with the kidney, so tumors within this compartment can spread to the adrenal gland.