Anatomy Exam Gross Anatomy of the Kidney 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of epithelium lines the renal pelvis?
- Simple columnar
- Transitional (urothelium) (Correct answer)
- Pseudostratified columnar
- Simple squamous
Correct answer: Transitional (urothelium)
The renal pelvis, like the ureter and bladder, is lined by transitional epithelium (urothelium) capable of stretching.
Question 2: Which segment of the nephron lies in the renal medulla exclusively?
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Loop of Henle (Correct answer)
- Bowman's capsule
Correct 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.
Question 3: Renal columns (columns of Bertin) are extensions of which renal zone into the medulla?
- Renal sinus
- Renal cortex (Correct answer)
- Renal pelvis
- Minor calyces
Correct answer: Renal cortex
Renal columns are inward projections of cortical tissue that extend between adjacent renal pyramids.
Question 4: How many renal pyramids are typically found in an adult human kidney?
- 2–4
- 5–7
- 8–18 (Correct answer)
- 20–25
Correct answer: 8–18
An adult kidney typically contains 8–18 renal pyramids, each representing a renal lobe.
Question 5: A minor calyx receives urine directly from which structure?
- Major calyx
- Renal pelvis
- Renal papilla (Correct answer)
- Ureter
Correct answer: Renal papilla
Each minor calyx cups one renal papilla (the apex of a pyramid) and collects urine draining from the collecting ducts.
Question 6: Which nerve accompanies the renal artery and provides sympathetic innervation to the kidney?
- Vagus nerve
- Renal plexus (Correct answer)
- Obturator nerve
- Ilioinguinal nerve
Correct answer: Renal plexus
The renal plexus, a sympathetic network derived from the celiac plexus, travels along the renal artery to innervate the kidney.
Question 7: Referred pain from the kidney is most commonly felt in which area?
- Right iliac fossa
- Epigastrium and back (Correct answer)
- Hypogastrium
- Left lower quadrant
Correct 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.
Anatomy Exam Gross Anatomy of the Kidney 3
What type of epithelium lines the renal pelvis?