Where is kidney located?

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Applied Anatomy

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

The kidneys are located in the abdomen, a major body cavity that houses digestive, endocrine, and urinary organs.
Specifically, they are situated on the posterior abdominal wall, meaning towards the back of the abdominal space.
They are described as retroperitoneal, as they lie behind the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
The kidneys are positioned on each side of the spine, typically extending from the T12 vertebra down to the L3 vertebra.

Option A: The oesophagus is part of the upper gastrointestinal tract and is located primarily in the thorax (chest cavity), passing through the diaphragm to connect to the stomach.
Option B: The aorta is the main and largest artery in the body. While it runs through the abdomen (the abdominal aorta), it is a blood vessel that transports blood, not a region where the kidney itself is located.
Option C: The urethra is the terminal part of the urinary tract that expels urine from the bladder. It is located within the pelvis, inferior to the abdomen.

Visual 1: Diagram - An anterior view of the abdomen showing the position of the kidneys relative to the spine, ribs, liver, and spleen. This helps visualize their retroperitoneal location.
Visual 2: Diagram - A sagittal (side) view of the abdomen illustrating the retroperitoneal space and the position of the kidney behind the other abdominal contents.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomical location of the kidneys as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowing the kidney's location is crucial for physical assessment. A nurse checks for tenderness at the costovertebral angle (renal angle), the area on the back over the kidneys, which can indicate kidney infection or inflammation.
Pain originating from the kidney (renal colic) is often felt in the flank and can radiate to the groin. This referred pain pattern is due to the kidney's nerve supply from spinal segments T10-L1.
What if? If a patient experiences a sharp blow to their lower back, just below the ribs, a nurse should have a high index of suspicion for kidney trauma due to their posterior and relatively unprotected location.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing basic knowledge of human anatomy.
First, identify the key structure in the question: the kidney.
Next, consider the major body cavities and regions presented in the options: Oesophagus (structure in the chest), Aorta (blood vessel), Urethra (structure in the pelvis), and Abdomen (body cavity).
Recall the organ systems. The kidney is a primary organ of the urinary system, which is located within the abdominal cavity.
Eliminate the incorrect options by placing them in their correct anatomical context.
Select 'Abdomen' as it is the large body cavity that contains the kidneys.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QU_Fc-sS3Cv_V_l-vT2T6k