Kidney anatomy

Position & palpable aspects of the normal kidney - Kidney surface anatomy
Movement of the kidney during normal respiration

  • Appreciation of the intimate relation of the kidneys to diaphragm, abdominal wall muscles, pleural sacs & peritoneum; contribution of upper left kidney to stomach bed. Implications of these relations in injury and disease.
  • Detailed anatomy of these relations not required
  • The renal fascia as a determinant of the spread of perinephric abscess pus and the anatomical basis for this: Layers around the kidney
  • The renal arteries as fast-flowing vessels posterior to the pancreas.
  • The segmental nature of renal arterial supply - Renal circulation and cortex
  • Lymphatic drainage to para-aortic nodes
  • Understanding of the basis for renal colic pain: role of coeliac plexus, sympathetic trunk & spinal nerves - see Kidney stones
  • Overview of the renal architecture: components of the nephron; medulla; cortex.
  • Renin-secreting cells
  • Details of kidney development are NOT required