Renal hilum

Renal hilum is a part of the kidney where the renal arteries (blood vessels), renal veins, and the renal pelvis (part of the urinary system) enter and exit the kidney. It is located on the medial side of each kidney, and it is essentially a vertical cleft embedded within a concave area of the kidney known as the renal sinus.

The renal hilum plays a crucial role in the functioning of the kidney, as it is the point of entry and exit for various structures that the kidney requires to perform its function. These structures include the renal arteries, which supply the kidney with blood; the renal veins, which carry away blood that has been filtered by the kidney; and the renal pelvis, which collects urine produced by the kidney and channels it into the ureter.

Structure

The renal hilum is located on the medial side of the kidney, which is the side closest to the spine. It is a vertical cleft, or opening, that is embedded within a larger, concave area known as the renal sinus. The renal sinus is filled with fat and connective tissue, and it also contains the calyces and renal pelvis.

The structures that pass through the renal hilum include the renal arteries, renal veins, and renal pelvis. The renal arteries enter the kidney at the renal hilum, bringing blood from the aorta to be filtered. The renal veins exit the kidney at the renal hilum, carrying away blood that has been filtered. The renal pelvis also exits the kidney at the renal hilum, collecting urine produced by the kidney and channeling it into the ureter.

Function

The primary function of the renal hilum is to serve as the point of entry and exit for the structures that the kidney requires to perform its function. These structures include the renal arteries, renal veins, and renal pelvis.

The renal arteries, which enter the kidney at the renal hilum, supply the kidney with blood. This blood contains waste products that need to be removed, as well as substances that the body needs to retain, such as glucose and electrolytes.

The renal veins, which exit the kidney at the renal hilum, carry away blood that has been filtered by the kidney. This blood is now free of waste products and contains the substances that the body needs to retain.

The renal pelvis, which also exits the kidney at the renal hilum, collects urine produced by the kidney. This urine is then channeled into the ureter, which carries it to the bladder for storage until it can be excreted from the body.

See also

• Kidney
• Renal artery
• Renal vein
• Renal pelvis
• Ureter

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