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 artery directly supplies blood to the kidney?
Answer: Renal artery
The renal artery, a direct lateral branch of the abdominal aorta, is the primary blood supply to the kidney.
The right renal artery is longer than the left because it must pass posterior to which structure?
Answer: Inferior vena cava
The right renal artery is longer because it courses posterior to the inferior vena cava (which lies to the right of the aorta) to reach the right kidney.
The left renal vein is longer than the right and crosses anterior to which structure?
Answer: Aorta
The left renal vein crosses anterior to the aorta (and posterior to the superior mesenteric artery) to drain into the IVC.
Which lymph nodes are the primary drainage for the kidneys?
Answer: Lateral aortic (lumbar) lymph nodes
Lymph from the kidneys drains to the lateral aortic (lumbar) lymph nodes situated along the abdominal aorta.
A horseshoe kidney is typically fused at the:
Answer: Lower poles
In horseshoe kidney, the lower poles are fused across the midline by an isthmus of renal parenchyma or fibrous tissue.
Which structure prevents a horseshoe kidney from ascending to its normal position?
Answer: Inferior mesenteric artery
The inferior mesenteric artery traps the isthmus of a horseshoe kidney, preventing normal cranial ascent during fetal development.
Which layer of the kidney is directly deep to the fibrous capsule?
Answer: Cortex
The fibrous capsule directly encloses the renal cortex, which is the outermost functional zone of the kidney parenchyma.