KIDNEYS AND SUPRARENAL GLANDS

Suprarenal Glands:

• Multiple arterial branches supply it with blood, but only one vein empties it.
• Venous Drainage:
• Right Adrenal Gland: Inferior Vena Cava.
• Left Adrenal Gland: Left Renal Vein.
• Nerve supply: Only sympathetic (hence adrenaline).
• They are only innervated by pre-ganglionic fibers, no postganglions.
• The fibers originate from the sympathetic trunk --Greater Thoracic Splanchnic Nerves.

KIDNEYS:

• Location: Retroperitoneum, T12-L4, in the perirenal space.
• Hilus: Renal Artery, Renal Vein, and Renal Pelvis (ureters) enter at the hilus.
• RELATIONS:
• Right Kidney related to Morrison's Pouch.
• Left Kidney related to tail of the pancreas.
• Retroperitoneal Spaces:
• Perirenal Space: The space containing the kidney's, bordered by Gerota's Fascia.
• Anterior Pararenal Space: Contains the other retroperitoneal organs -- part of the duodenum, pancreas, ascending and descending colon.
• Posterior Pararenal Space: Doesn't contain jack shit.
• Because of the division of retroperitoneal spaces, pathology escapes down into the pelvis, before it goes right or left.

Category: Anatomy Notes