The Kidneys and the Ureters

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Urogenital diaphragm and ischiorectal fossa | Main Anatomy Index | The suprarenal glands

Last updated 30 March 2006

The Kidneys

  1. The removal of excess water, salts and products of protein metabolism;
  2. The maintenance of pH;
  3. Production and release of erythopoietin, which controls blood cell production;
  4. Synthesis and release of renin to influence blood pressure;
  5. And the production of 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol (activated for of vitamin D) for control of calcium metabolism.
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Position, Form, and Size of the Kidneys

Click here for a diagram of the position of the kidney from the posterior aspect.

  1. 10-11 cm in length;
  2. 5-6 cm in width;
  3. 2.5-3 cm in thickness;
  4. They weigh about 135-150 grams;
  5. The left kidney is often slightly longer than the right one.
  1. Renal vein
  2. Renal artery
  3. Renal pelvis
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Surface Anatomy and Markings of the Kidneys

 

Gross Structure of the Kidneys

Click here for a diagram of the gross structure of the kidneys.

The Fibrous Capsule

 

The Renal Pelvis

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Renal Fascia and Renal Fat

 

Relations of the Kidneys (Ashwell)

  Anterior Posterior
Left Kidney Spleen
Stomach
Suprarenal gland
Pancreas
Small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum)
Left colic flexure
Splenic artery
Splenic vessels
11th and 12th ribs
Diaphragm
Quadratus lumborum
Transversus abdominis
Psoas major
Subcostal vessels
Subcostal nerves
Iliohypogastric nerve
Ilioinguinal nerve
Right Kidney Right suprarenal gland
Right lobe of liver
Right colic flexure
Small intestine
Duodenum
As for left except no 11th rib
  1. Suprarenal;
  2. Splenic;
  3. Stomach (gastric part);
  4. Splenic vessels;
  5. Sweetbread (the pancreas);
  6. Small intestine (duodenum, ileum and jejunum);
  7. Splenic flexure (or left colic flexure).
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Blood Supply of the Kidney

Renal Arteries

Click here to go to the renal arteries under "The Blood Vessels of the Abdomen and Pelvis."

 

Segmental Arteries

 

Venous Drainage of the Kidneys

Click here to go to the "Blood Vessels of the Abdomen and Pelvis."

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Renal Innervation

Click here to go to "The Nerves and Lymphatics of the Abdomen and Pelvis."

  1. The coeliac ganglion and plexus;
  2. The aorticorenal ganglion;
  3. The lower thoracic splanchnic nerves;
  4. The 1st lumbar splanchnic nerve;
  5. And the aortic plexus.

 

Lymphatic Drainage of the Kidneys

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The Ureters

 

The Abdominal Ureter

 

The Pelvic Ureter

 

In the Male

 

In the Female

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Blood Supply of the Ureters

Click here to go to "The Blood Supply of the Abdomen and Pelvis."

  1. The renal;
  2. The abdominal aorta;
  3. The gonadal;
  4. The common iliac;
  5. The internal iliac;
  6. And the vesical and uterine arteries.

 

Innervation of the Ureters

Click here to go to "The Innervation and Lymphatic Supply to the Abdomen and Pelvis."

  1. Sympathetic: T10-12, L1;
  2. Parasympathetic: S2-4.
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Michael Tam (c) 1998