Urology Module Semester 4 Quiz

Study Notes

Urology Module - Semester 4

Lecture name: Anatomy of the Urinary System
Lecturer: Dr. Salam Abdulameer Almosawi
Credentials: F.I.C.M.S.(URO)
Contact: [email protected]

Objectives

Understand the gross structure of the urinary system in both males and females
Learn the overall functions of the urinary system
Identify the anatomical position of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and prostate, along with their relationships
Detail the blood supply, venous drainage, and lymphatics of the urinary system

Anatomy of the Urinary System

The urinary system consists of:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra

The Kidneys

Bean-shaped, retroperitoneal, located on either side of the vertebral column
Extend from T12 to L3
Right kidney typically positioned slightly more caudally
Dimensions: approximately 11-12 cm in length, 5-7.5 cm in width, and 2.5-3.0 cm in thickness.
Surrounded by:
- Tough fibrous capsule
- Perirenal fat
- Gerotas fascia
- Para-renal fat
Functional unit: nephron
Nephron structure: glomerulus, renal tubule, and collecting duct
Filtration:
- Occurs in specialized leaky capillaries (glomeruli) within the kidney cortex.
- High pressure in glomeruli forces water and small molecules out of the plasma at a rate of 125 ml/min or 180 L per day, known as glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Blood Supply of the Kidneys

Usually supplied by a single renal artery branching from the abdominal aorta at the level of L1.
Accessory renal arteries are sometimes present.
Renal artery enters the kidney through the hilum, typically dividing into anterior and posterior branches.
Abnormal arterial supply can originate from the superior mesenteric, suprarenal, testicular or ovarian arteries.

Relationships of the Kidneys

Right Kidney:
- Superior: adrenal gland, liver
- Posterior: posterior abdominal wall (psoas major muscle)
- Anterior: liver, adrenal gland, duodenum, and colon
Left Kidney:
- Superior: adrenal gland, spleen
- Posterior: posterior abdominal wall (psoas major muscle)
- Anterior: adrenal gland, spleen, stomach, pancreas, small bowel and colon

The Ureters

Originate from the renal pelvis
Length: 25-30 cm in adults
Course:
- In abdomen, runs along anterior aspect of transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae
- Crosses pelvic brim at the sacroiliac joint, anterior to the bifurcation of common iliac artery
- Runs posterolaterally along bladder wall before entering the bladder obliquely
Male: passes under vas deferens, superiorly to seminal vesicle
Female: descends posterior to ovary and into the broad ligament, passing under the uterine artery.

Blood Supply of the Ureters

The upper part is supplied by renal arteries.
The middle and lower parts are supplied by common iliac and internal iliac arteries.
The lower part receives blood from uterine (female) or inferior vesical (male) arteries.
Corresponding veins drain the ureters.

The Bladder

Position: posterior to pubic bones and symphysis.
Shape: empty - lies entirely within true pelvic cavity. Full – becomes spherical and can reach above the umbilicus
Surfaces:
- Base (posterior surface)
- One superior surface
- Two anterolateral surfaces
Trigone (internal structure): triangular area defined internally by two ureteric openings and the internal urethral opening, including the interureteric ridge
Neck: area where the base and inferolateral surfaces meet, inferiorly

The Urethra

Female: 4-5 cm long, straight
Male: 20 cm long, divided into
- Posterior part (5 cm): prostatic and membranous
- Anterior part (15 cm): bulbus and penile

Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and prostate. This quiz will cover anatomical positions, functions, and blood supply associated with the urinary system. Ideal for students in the Urology module.