WBR0412
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Anatomy |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Renal |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 52 year old male smoker is presenting to the surgical ward for a left nephrectomy after being diagnosed with renal clear cell carcinoma. During his surgery, the surgeon notes the anatomy of the renal blood vessels and their neighboring structures. Which of the following is generally true regarding renal blood vessels and their surrounding?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::The renal veins lie posterior to the renal arteries |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::The renal veins lie anterior to the renal arteries. |
| Answer B | [[AnswerB::The right renal vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava, while the left renal vein drains into the inferior mesenteric vein.]] |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Both the left and right renal veins drain into the inferior vena cava. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::The renal arteries lie at the same level as the inferior mesenteric artery |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::The renal arteries lie at the higher level than the inferior mesenteric artery. The renal arteries lie at L2 vertebral level, while the inferior mesenteric artery lies at the L3 vertebral level. |
| Answer D | AnswerD::The right gonadal vein drains into the right renal vein |
| Answer D Explanation | AnswerDExp::The left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein. |
| Answer E | AnswerE::The left renal vein is longer than the right renal vein |
| Answer E Explanation | [[AnswerEExp::The left renal vein is generally longer than the right renal vein. This is true because the inferior vena cava is located slightly to the right side of the body, closer to the right renal vein.]] |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::E |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::The left renal vein is generally longer than the right renal vein. This is true because the inferior vena cava is located slightly to the right side of the body, closer to the right renal vein. This anatomical distinction is especially significant in renal transplantation, where donor kidneys are generally retrieved from the left side due to the surgical advantage the long left renal vein provides.
Educational Objective: The left renal vein is longer than the right renal vein. This has important surgical implications in the preferential choice of left kidney donation over the right kidney in renal transplantation. Reference:
Mir NS, Ul Hassan A. et al. Bilateral duplication of renal vessels: Anatomical, medical, and surgical perspective. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2008; 2(2):179-185. |
| Approved | Approved::No |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Renal vein |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |