Anatomy of Kidney in a Nutshell

Anatomy of Kidney in a Nutshell

Coverings of the kidney

• Kidneys are retroperitoneal and are embedded within layers of fatty connective tissue and fascia.

• • Most anterior = peritoneum
  • Underneath the peritoneum = fatty tissue called pararenal fat.
  • Deep to fat = layer of fibrous fascia called renal fascia, called Gerota’s fascia.  Continuous with transversalisas fascia laterally and continuous medially with the fascia of psoas major muscle.
  • Under renal fascia find perinephric (aka perirenal) fat layer.
  • Finally, have the renal capsule surrounding the kidney.

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• The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney: due to being pushed down by the liver.
• Surgical approach to the kidney is through the posterior-lateral abdominal wall.

Internal anatomy of the kidney

• 2 major regions
  • outer = renal cortex. Covered by capsule. This is where glomeruli are located where filtering begins.  The cortex is located inward as well = renal columns also has glomeruli.
  • Medulla of kidney= Area between columns

• • 1. Made up of renal pyramids.
    2. Apex of each pyramid = renal papilla → capped by a minor calyx→ two minor come together to form a major calyx. 2-3 major calyx join to form the renal pelvis which drains the urine into ureter.

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• Renal sinus = space within the kidney.
  • Fatty tissue surrounding major/minor calyces &  Renal pelvis.

• • Renal vessels branch within the renal sinus
  • Also, find autonomic fibers/lymphatics.

• Hilum: entrance to the sinus located on the concave surface & containing the following
  • Renal artery
  • Renal vein
  • Renal pelvis → becomes the ureter→ bladder.

• Renal calculi: kidney stones.  Urine may contain high salt levels which precipitate out to form stones.  Pain starts as back pain (nerves from T10-11)→ transitions into groin pain as approach L2.

Also read:

1. The Kidneys @ TeachMeAnatomy
2. Practice Anatomy tests for free!
3. Best Anatomy books for Medical students
4. Best Anatomy websites & journals
5. Anatomy syllabus in (CBME) in India
6. Anatomy syllabus in Russia & Other CIS
7. Anatomy syllabus in China

Also Watch:

• Kidney: Structure and Function (preview) @ Kenhub

• Anatomy Kidney by Sanjoy Sanyal