The Ultimate Urinary System Quiz

Urinary System Components

• The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Kidney Structure and Location

• The kidneys have other names, including "renes" and "nephri".
• The kidney is a bean-shaped organ.
• The kidney extends from the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
• The measurements of the kidney are approximately 10-12 cm in length, 5-6 cm in width, and 2.5 cm in thickness.
• The weight of the kidney is approximately 120-150 grams.
• The long axis of the kidney is directed downward and forward, while the transverse axis is directed forward and inward.
• In the fetus, the kidney is located in the pelvic region.
• The kidney moves downward during inhalation and returns to its original position during exhalation.
• The normal part of the kidney that can be palpated is the lower pole.

Features of the Kidney

• Each kidney has an upper pole, lower pole, anterior surface, posterior surface, lateral border, and medial border.

Covering of the Kidney

• The kidney is covered by a fibrous capsule, perinephric fat (perirenal fat), and renal fascia.
• Renal fascia consists of an anterior layer (fascia of Toldt) and a posterior layer (fascia of Zuckerkandl).
• The kidney is also surrounded by paranephric fat (pararenal fat).

Relations of the Kidney

• The anterior surface of the kidneys is related to the liver, duodenum, and colon.
• The posterior surface of the kidneys is related to the diaphragm, psoas major, and quadratus lumborum.

Internal Structure of the Kidney

• A coronal section of the kidney shows the cortex (outer region, lighter in color) and medulla (inner region, darker in color).