BIOL 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II: Urinary
System and Abdominal Cavity Exam (Module 7)
SECTION I: GROSS ANATOMY OF THE URINARY SYSTEM AND PERITONEAL
CAVITY
1. In a transverse section of the abdomen, the kidneys are located posterior to the
peritoneal cavity. What is the correct anatomical term for this location?
Answer: Retroperitoneal.
2. Which double-layered serous membrane lines the abdominal wall and covers
the abdominal organs?
Answer: The peritoneum.
3. What is the name of the fluid-filled space located between the parietal and
visceral layers of the peritoneum?
Answer: The peritoneal cavity.
4. Which layer of the peritoneum is in direct contact with the surface of internal
abdominal organs?
Answer: The visceral peritoneum.
5. What tough, fibrous layer of local connective tissue surrounds each kidney and
helps anchor it to the posterior abdominal wall?
Answer: The renal fascia.
6. Which fatty mass surrounds the renal capsule and acts as a cushion to protect
the kidney from physical trauma?
, Answer: The perinephric (or perirenal) fat pad.
7. What are the three distinct internal regions of the kidney from superficial to
deep?
Answer: Renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis.
8. What are the cone-shaped tissue masses located within the renal medulla
called?
Answer: Renal pyramids.
9. What are the inward extensions of the renal cortex that separate the renal
pyramids?
Answer: Renal columns.
10. What is the tip of a renal pyramid that points toward the center of the kidney
called?
Answer: Renal papilla.
11. Urine drains from the renal papilla into which small, cup-shaped structures?
Answer: Minor calyces.
12. Several minor calyces merge to form which larger urine-collecting structures?
Answer: Major calyces.
13. What is the funnel-shaped tube that is continuous with the ureter and collects
urine from the major calyces?
Answer: Renal pelvis.
System and Abdominal Cavity Exam (Module 7)
SECTION I: GROSS ANATOMY OF THE URINARY SYSTEM AND PERITONEAL
CAVITY
1. In a transverse section of the abdomen, the kidneys are located posterior to the
peritoneal cavity. What is the correct anatomical term for this location?
Answer: Retroperitoneal.
2. Which double-layered serous membrane lines the abdominal wall and covers
the abdominal organs?
Answer: The peritoneum.
3. What is the name of the fluid-filled space located between the parietal and
visceral layers of the peritoneum?
Answer: The peritoneal cavity.
4. Which layer of the peritoneum is in direct contact with the surface of internal
abdominal organs?
Answer: The visceral peritoneum.
5. What tough, fibrous layer of local connective tissue surrounds each kidney and
helps anchor it to the posterior abdominal wall?
Answer: The renal fascia.
6. Which fatty mass surrounds the renal capsule and acts as a cushion to protect
the kidney from physical trauma?
, Answer: The perinephric (or perirenal) fat pad.
7. What are the three distinct internal regions of the kidney from superficial to
deep?
Answer: Renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis.
8. What are the cone-shaped tissue masses located within the renal medulla
called?
Answer: Renal pyramids.
9. What are the inward extensions of the renal cortex that separate the renal
pyramids?
Answer: Renal columns.
10. What is the tip of a renal pyramid that points toward the center of the kidney
called?
Answer: Renal papilla.
11. Urine drains from the renal papilla into which small, cup-shaped structures?
Answer: Minor calyces.
12. Several minor calyces merge to form which larger urine-collecting structures?
Answer: Major calyces.
13. What is the funnel-shaped tube that is continuous with the ureter and collects
urine from the major calyces?
Answer: Renal pelvis.
