American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) Practice Exam

Through which area do blood vessels and nerves enter and exit the kidney?

1. Renal cortex

2. Renal corpuscle

3. Hilum

4. Renal pelvis

The correct answer is: Hilum

The correct choice, the hilum, refers to the concave area of the kidney where blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves enter and exit. This anatomical feature serves as the gateway for the renal arteries and veins, as well as the ureter, facilitating the passage of blood and signals to and from the kidney. The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney, involved in the filtration of blood but does not serve as the entry point for vessels and nerves. The renal corpuscle is part of the nephron that includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, responsible for the initial filtering of blood. The renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure that collects urine produced in the kidney and conducts it into the ureter; however, it is not related to the entry and exit of blood vessels and nerves. Each of these areas has distinct functions, but the hilum specifically functions as the portal for vascular and nervous structures in the kidney.