Question

A notch present on the inner medial side of kidney is known as (a) ureter (b) pelvis (c) hilus (d) pyramid.

Short answer

The notch present on the inner medial side of the kidney is known as the hilus.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Function of the Notch

Understand that the notch present on the inner medial side of the kidney serves as a gate for the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter to enter and exit the kidney. This area is where blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter connect with the kidney.

Understanding Anatomical Terms

Recognize the terms associated with kidney anatomy: ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder; pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure in the kidney; pyramid refers to the cone-shaped tissues within the kidney; and the term for the indented area on the inner medial side where structures enter and exit the kidney is called the hilus.

Selecting the Correct Option

Match the anatomical function discussed in Step 1 with the appropriate term in Step 2 to determine that the notch on the inner medial side of kidney is known as the hilus.

Key concepts

Understanding Hilus

When we look at the kidney, the hilus is an essential landmark. It is a concave notch situated on the inner, medial side of each kidney, and it acts as a critical hub for several structures. Think of it as the main entrance of the kidney, where key components like blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter come in or go out.

Here's why it's important:

• The renal artery and vein pass through here, supplying blood to the kidney and draining it back towards the heart.
• The ureter, which transports urine from the kidney to the bladder, emerges from the hilus.
• Nerves that control kidney function also travel through this gateway.

This area ensures that all the vital connections are made so the kidneys can function as they should.

Role of the Renal Artery

The renal artery plays a crucial role in maintaining our body's balance of fluids and minerals. Originating from the abdominal aorta, the renal artery enters each kidney via the hilus. It brings oxygen-rich blood into the kidneys, which is necessary for filtering waste products.

Here's what happens inside:

• The renal artery divides into smaller arteries within the kidney, reaching the nephrons, the microscopic filtering units of the kidney.
• It delivers essential nutrients and oxygen that the kidney tissues need to function optimally.
• It is also involved in blood pressure regulation by adjusting the blood flow into the kidneys based on the body's needs.

Without the renal artery, the kidneys would be devoid of the vital supplies they need, essentially hampering their ability to detoxify the body.

Ureter Functionality

Ureters are the two vital tubes that act as a highway for urine transport. Each kidney possesses one ureter, which originates from the renal pelvis at the hilus.

These slender muscular tubes have several key functions:

• They propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder through peristalsis, a series of wave-like contractions of the muscles.
• The ureters prevent backflow of urine which is crucial to avoid infections and to maintain one-way traffic towards the bladder.
• Since they connect the kidneys to the bladder, any blockage or damage to the ureters can lead to severe health issues like infections or kidney damage.

Understanding the ureters' function helps us appreciate their role in the urinary and excretory systems.

The Renal Vein's Path

In contrast to the renal artery, the renal vein's main role is to carry filtered, deoxygenated blood away from the kidneys. It exits each kidney via the hilus and joins the inferior vena cava, which is the large vein that carries blood back to the heart.

Key points of the renal vein include:

• It helps in maintaining the body's fluid and electrolyte balance by removing the byproducts of the kidney's filtration process.
• The renal vein works in tandem with the renal artery, creating a circulatory loop for efficient blood filtration by the kidneys.
• Conditions affecting the renal vein, such as thrombosis, can impact kidney function and overall health.

It’s essential for students to grasp these concepts for a comprehensive understanding of the human urinary system.