RACK 4 ABDOMIN AND LOWER LIMB

Anatomical Position

The kidneys lie retroperitoneally (behind the peritoneum) in the abdomen, either side of the vertebral column.

They typically extend from T12 to L3, although the right kidney is often situated slightly lower due to the presence of the liver. Each kidney is approximately three vertebrae in length.

The adrenal glands sit immediately superior to the kidneys within a separate envelope of the renal fascia.

The kidneys are bilateral bean-shaped organs, reddish-brown in colour and located in the posterior abdomen. Their main function is to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body.

The gluteal region is an anatomical area located posteriorly to the pelvic girdle, at the proximal end of the femur. The muscles in this region move the lower limb at the hip joint.

The muscles of the gluteal region can be broadly divided into two groups:

Liver architecture in healthy liver and fibrosis. (A) In normal liver, hepatocytes are arranged in rows radiating outwards from the central vein, toward the edge of the lobule. The gaps between the hepatocyte rows are known as sinusoids which are lined with endothelial cells, and contain Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and contain extracellular material such as the non fibrogenic type IV collagen.

The liver is a peritoneal organ positioned in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. It is the largest visceral structure in the abdominal cavity, and the largest gland in the human body.

An accessory digestion gland, the liver performs a wide range of functions, such as synthesis of bile, glycogen storage and clotting factor production.

In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the liver – its position, structure, and neurovascular supply.

Development of the Kidneys

In the embryo, the kidneys develop from three overlapping sequential systems; the pronephros, the mesonephros, and the metanephros. They are all derived from the urogenital ridge.

Pronephros

The pronephros appears in the 4th week of development.

Its development begins in the cervical region of the embryo. Segmented divisions of intermediate mesoderm form tubules, known as nephrotomes. In total, 6-10 pairs of nephrotomes are formed.

The main functions of the urinary system include:

• Removal of metabolic waste products such as uric acid, urea and creatinine.
• Maintain electrolyte, water and pH balance.
• Regulation of blood pressure, blood volume and erythropoiesis, and vitamin D production.

Development of the urinary system is closely related to the development of the reproductive system; particularly during the earlier stages – where they develop from the same origin. However, the urinary system develops ahead of the reproductive system.

Title:

Liver, Child, Anatomy

Description:

Anatomy of the liver; drawing shows the right and left lobes of the liver. Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and colon.

Anatomy of the liver. The liver is in the upper abdomen near the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and pancreas. The liver has a right lobe and a left lobe. Each lobe is divided into two sections (not shown).

Topics/Categories:

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins including collagen that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. Advanced liver fibrosis results in cirrhosis, liver failure, and portal hypertension and often requires liver transplantation. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis has greatly advanced. Activated hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts of bone marrow origin have been identified as major collagen-producing cells in the injured liver.

The kidneys are bilateral bean-shaped organs, reddish-brown in colour and located in the posterior abdomen. Their main function is to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body.