Review: Anatomy of the Kidney & Ureter

Here is what we have learned from Anatomy of the Kidney & Ureter:

  • Each kidney or ureter is considered a separate primary, unless bilateral involvement is stated to be metastatic from one side to the other
  • The kidneys have two functional areas that are managed and staged independently, the kidney parenchyma and the renal pelvis.
  • The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder. They are staged the same way as the renal pelvis.
  • Layers of renal and ureteral walls include mucous membrane (mucosa), muscular coat (muscularis propria), and adventitia.
  • The kidneys and ureters are located behind the peritoneal cavity (retroperitoneally), along the spinal column.