Gross Anatomy of the Kidney

Overview

• Two ways to study kidney anatomy:
  1. Intact kidney
  2. Sliced kidney
• Drawing helps visualize structures.

External Structures

Orientation

• Left vs. Right kidney
• Adrenal Gland:
  • Sits on top of the kidney
  • Triangle-shaped, endocrine functions

Capsule

• Fibrous (Renal) Capsule:
  • Dense, irregular connective tissue.
  • Surrounds the kidney

Hilum

• Indentation on the kidney
• Key structures:
  • Ureter: Connects kidney to bladder
  • Renal Artery: Brings blood from descending abdominal aorta
  • Renal Vein: Sends blood to inferior vena cava

Internal Structures

Cortex

• Outer layer
• Contains important anatomical structures

Medulla

• Inner layer
• Contains Renal Pyramids:
  • 'Pizza slice' appearance
  • Ends in a nipple-like Renal Papilla
  • Drips pre-urine into Minor Calyx

Collecting Structures

• Minor Calyx:
  • Catches urine from renal papilla
  • Each renal pyramid has a minor calyx
• Major Calyx:
  • Formed by the merging of minor calyces
• Renal Pelvis:
  • Collects urine from major calyces
  • Funnels urine to the ureter

Additional Notes

• Renal Columns found between renal pyramids in medulla
• Ureter leads to the bladder, completing the urinary system.