Gross Anatomy of the Kidney Flashcards

Which muscle forms the floor of the renal bed posteriorly?

Answer: Quadratus lumborum

The quadratus lumborum muscle forms a large part of the posterior renal bed and is in direct contact with the posterior kidney.

The peritoneum covers which surface of the kidney?

Answer: Anterior surface

The kidneys are retroperitoneal, so only their anterior surfaces are partially covered by peritoneum.

During a nephrectomy, the surgeon ligates the renal pedicle. What is the correct order of structures ligated from superficial to deep (anterior to posterior)?

Answer: Vein, artery, ureter

In the renal hilum from anterior to posterior the order is vein, artery, ureter; the vein is thus ligated first.

Cortical nephrons differ from juxtamedullary nephrons primarily in the length of their:

Answer: Loop of Henle

Juxtamedullary nephrons have long loops of Henle that extend deep into the medulla, while cortical nephrons have short loops.

Which vessel runs within the renal columns between pyramids?

Answer: Interlobar artery

Interlobar arteries course within the renal columns (columns of Bertin) between adjacent pyramids toward the corticomedullary junction.

At the corticomedullary junction, interlobar arteries give rise to:

Answer: Arcuate arteries

Interlobar arteries bifurcate at the corticomedullary junction to form arcuate arteries, which arch along that boundary.

A renal stone lodged at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) is located where relative to the kidney?

Answer: At the junction of the renal pelvis and ureter

The UPJ is the narrow transition point where the funnel-shaped renal pelvis narrows to become the ureter, a common site for stone impaction.