Anatomía del riñón | Anatomía del riñón y sus partes | Anatomía de los riñones
Understanding Renal Physiology
Introduction to Renal Physiology
- The video introduces the importance of understanding renal physiology, emphasizing the need to grasp basic anatomy before delving deeper into kidney functions.
- It highlights that knowledge of kidney structure, location, and blood vessel distribution is crucial for comprehending their normal functions.
Anatomy of the Kidneys
- The human body typically has two kidneys located in the posterior abdominal cavity between the 12th thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebrae. The right kidney is positioned about three centimeters lower than the left due to liver placement.
- Each kidney features a region called the renal hilum where blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics enter and exit. The internal space containing these structures is referred to as the renal sinus.
Structural Support of Kidneys
- Kidneys are classified as retroperitoneal organs since they lie behind the peritoneum. They maintain their shape through three supportive tissue layers.
- The outermost layer is dense connective tissue known as renal fascia; the middle layer consists of adipose tissue (adipose capsule), providing protection and stability; while the innermost layer (renal capsule) adheres directly to kidney tissue.
Kidney Dimensions and Functional Regions
- Each kidney weighs approximately 140 grams with dimensions around 11 cm long, 6 cm wide, and 3 cm thick. These measurements can vary among individuals.
- The functional tissue or parenchyma comprises two regions: an outer cortex (cortical region) and an inner medulla (medullary region). Medullary structures are cone-shaped pyramids with bases facing outward.
Nephrons and Their Components
- In addition to nephrons as functional units, fibroblast-like cells produce erythropoietin within renal parenchyma.
- Each renal pyramid's apex is termed a renal papilla which drains into minor calyces that converge into major calyces leading to the renal pelvis before forming ureters.
Blood Supply to Kidneys
- Kidneys receive substantial blood supply via left and right renal arteries branching from the abdominal aorta, delivering approximately 1,200 milliliters of blood per minute essential for nephron function.
- After originating from abdominal aorta, each renal artery divides into segmental arteries that further branch into interlobular arteries supplying lobules within kidneys.
Vascular Structure Related to Nephrons
- Interlobular arteries give rise to arcuate arteries located at cortical-medullary junction; these lead to interlobular or radial arteries critical for glomerulus formation.