12 Kidney Diseases
Anatomy of the Kidneys
Position of the Kidneys
• Kidneys and adrenals lie within perirenal (perinephric) fat that is enclosed by fibrous renal fascia (Gerota’s).
Internal Renal Structure
• Cortex: contains Bowman’s capsules and glomeruli (renal corpuscles), proximal and distal convoluted tubules, proximal collecting ducts, arcuate arteries and veins, cortical capillary plexus
• Medulla, pyramids: contain loops of Henle, distal collecting ducts, vasa rectae, medullary capillary plexus