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
What type of epithelium lines the renal pelvis?
Answer: Transitional (urothelium)
The renal pelvis, like the ureter and bladder, is lined by transitional epithelium (urothelium) capable of stretching.
Which segment of the nephron lies in the renal medulla exclusively?
Answer: Loop of Henle
The loop of Henle (especially the thin descending and thin ascending limbs) dips into the renal medulla to create the osmotic gradient.
Renal columns (columns of Bertin) are extensions of which renal zone into the medulla?
Answer: Renal cortex
Renal columns are inward projections of cortical tissue that extend between adjacent renal pyramids.
How many renal pyramids are typically found in an adult human kidney?
Answer: 8–18
An adult kidney typically contains 8–18 renal pyramids, each representing a renal lobe.
A minor calyx receives urine directly from which structure?
Answer: Renal papilla
Each minor calyx cups one renal papilla (the apex of a pyramid) and collects urine draining from the collecting ducts.
Which nerve accompanies the renal artery and provides sympathetic innervation to the kidney?
Answer: Renal plexus
The renal plexus, a sympathetic network derived from the celiac plexus, travels along the renal artery to innervate the kidney.
Referred pain from the kidney is most commonly felt in which area?
Answer: Epigastrium and back
Renal pain is typically referred to the costovertebral angle, flank, and epigastric region because the kidney shares T10–L1 dermatomal innervation.