ANATOMY OF KIDNEY

Location:

Retroperitoneal: Situated behind the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity).

Between T12 and L3 vertebrae (levels of the spine).

Left kidney slightly higher than the right.

External Anatomy:

Renal capsule: A thin, fibrous layer covering the kidney.

Renal hilum: A medial indentation where blood vessels, nerves, ureters, and lymphatics enter and exit the kidney.

Renal cortex: Outermost layer, containing nephrons (filtering units).

Renal medulla: Inner portion, containing renal pyramids (triangular structures with nephron loops).

Renal papillae: Projections of the renal pyramids into the renal pelvis.

Internal Anatomy:

Nephrons: Microscopic functional units responsible for filtering blood. Each nephron consists of a glomerulus (capillary network) and a tubule (reabsorbs water and electrolytes).

Collecting ducts: Drain the filtrate from nephrons into the renal pelvis.

Renal pelvis: Funnel-shaped area where urine collects before entering the ureter.

Blood Supply:

Renal arteries: Branch off the aorta and supply oxygenated blood to the kidneys.

Renal veins: Drain deoxygenated blood from the kidneys and return it to the inferior vena cava.

Additional Structures:

Ureters: Tube-like structures carrying urine from each kidney to the bladder.

Renal nerves: Control the function of the kidneys.

Lymphatics: Drain lymph from the kidneys.