surgical anatomy of kidney and ureter

1. “SURGICAL ANATOMY OF KIDNEY AND
URETER”
Chairperson : Prof. Dr. Keshavamurthy R
Co-chairperson : Dr. Vishwanath R
Presenter : Dr. Prashant Kr Chauhan

3. INDEX
 Embryology
 Anatomy
 Gross
 Microscopic
 Coverings of the kidney
 Orientation of the kidney
 Position of the kidney
 Surface marking
 Relations of the kidney
 Blood supply of kidney
 Lymphatic drainage
 Nerve supply

4. EMBRYOLOGY OF KIDNEY
 Three sets of structures
appear and then regress in
succession ; the
pronephros, the
mesonephros and the
metanephros which
persists to form the
definitive kidney.

6.  The mesonephric (or Wolffian) duct in adult is
represented by:
 the duct of the epididymis
 the vas deferens and the ejaculatory duct
 the efferent ductules of the testis
 the appendix of the epididymis

7.  The mesonephric duct also gives rise to the
ureteric bud in both sexes.
 superiorly it forms the ureter, the pelvis of the ureter, the
major and minor calyces and the collecting ducts
 Inferiorly this is absorbed into the bladder to become the
trigone and part of the urethra

8.  The metanephros is
initially a pelvic organ,
from weeks 6 to 9 of
gestation there is
progressive development
and the kidneys ascend.
ASCENT OF THE
KIDNEY

9.  In subsequent development of the embryo,
differential growth of the abdominal wall causes the
kidney to ascend to the lumbar region.
 The metanephros, at first, receives its blood supply
from the lateral sacral arteries, but with its ascent,
higher branches of the aorta take over the supply.
 The definitive renal artery represents the lateral
splanchnic branch of the aorta at the level of the
second lumbar segment.

10.  Significance :
 Fusion of the lower poles of metanephric tissue
results in a horseshoe kidney and inferior
mesenteric artery(at level of L3) alters the ascent
and rotation of the developed kidneys.
 Failure of development or interaction between
the ureteric bud and metanephros have been
implicated in congenital anomalies such as renal
dysplasia and multicystic dysplastic kidneys.

13.  When a kidney is located on the side opposite
that in which its ureter inserts into the bladder,
the condition is known as crossed ectopia.
 Ninety percent of crossed ectopic kidneys are
fused to their ipsilateral mate.

14. CROSSED RENAL ECTOPIA WITH FUSION

15. CROSSED RENAL ECTOPIA WITHOUT FUSION

16. ANATOMY
 The kidneys are paired ovoid reddish-brown
retroperitoneal organs situated in the posterior part
of the abdomen on each side of the vertebral
column.
 Each kidney is of a characteristic shape, having a
superior and an inferior pole, a convex border
placed laterally, and a concave medial border.
 The medial border has a marked depression the
hilum containing the renal vessels and the renal
pelvis.

18. •At the concave medial margin of each kidney is a vertical
cleft, the renal hilum, where the renal artery enters and the
renal vein and renal pelvis leave the renal sinus.
•At the hilum, the renal vein is anterior to the renal artery,
which is anterior to the renal pelvis.
Kidneys Anatomy: Hilum

19. MACROSCOPIC ANATOMY
 measures 10 to 12 cm in length(2 & half vertebral
body length)
 5.0 to 7.5 cm in width
 2.5 to 3.0 cm in thickness
 weighs approximately 125 to 170 gm(in males)
 10 to 15 gm smaller in females.

21. BASIC INTRARENAL ANATOMY
Renal
parenchyma
Cortical
tissue
Medullar
tissue

22. CORTICAL TISSUE
 On a longitudinal section, the cortex forms the
external layer of renal parenchyma.
 The layers of cortical tissue between adjacent
pyramids are named renal cortical columns of
Bertin.

24. RENAL MEDULLA
 The renal medulla is formed by several inverted
cones, surrounded by a layer of cortical tissue on
all sides (except at the apexes).
 Thus forming a renal pyramid.
 The apex of a pyramid is the renal papilla.

25. In living persons, the renal pelvis and its calyces are usually collapsed (empty).
Kidneys Anatomy: Pyramids

26.  The pyramids and their associated cortex form the
lobes of the kidney.
 The lobes are visible on the external surfaces of the
kidneys in fetuses, and evidence of the lobes may
persist for some time after birth.

27. PELVICALYCEAL SYSTEM
 A minor calyx is defined as the calyx that is in
immediate apposition to a papilla.
 The renal minor calyces drain the renal papillae and
range in number from 5 to 14 (mean 8).
 A minor calyx may be single (drains one papilla) or
compound (drains two or three papillae).
 The polar calyces often are compound, markedly in
the superior pole.

28. The renal pelvis receives two or three major calyces (calyces), each of
which divides into two or three minor calyces.
Each minor calyx is indented
by the renal papilla, the apex
of the renal pyramid, from
which the urine is excreted.
Calyces And Papillas

29.  The minor calyces may drain straight into an
infundibulum or join to form major calyx, which
subsequently will drain into an infundibulum.
 Finally, the infundibulam, which are considered the
primary divisions of the pelvicalyceal system, drain
into the renal pelvis.

32. CLASSIFICATION OF THE PELVIOCALYCEAL
SYSTEM (SAMPAIOS CLASSIFICATION)
 Group A
 This group is composed of pelviocalyceal
systems that present two major calyceal
groups (superior and inferior) as a primary
division of the renal pelvis and a midzone
calyceal drainage dependent on these two
major groups.

33. GROUP A
Type A-I
 In which the kidney
midzone is drained by
minor calyces that are
dependent on the
superior or on the
inferior calyceal
groups, or even on
both superior and
inferior calyceal
groups, simultaneously
Type A-II
 In which the kidney
midzone is drained by
crossed calyces, one
draining into the
superior calyceal group
and another draining
into the inferior
calyceal group,
simultaneously.

35. CLASSIFICATION OF THE PELVIOCALYCEAL
SYSTEM (SAMPAIOS CLASSIFICATION)
 Group B
 This group is composed of pelviocalyceal systems that
present the kidney midzone (hilar) calyceal drainage
independent of both the superior and the inferior
calyceal groups.

36. GROUP B
Type B-I
 In which the kidney
midzone is drained by
a major calyceal group,
independent of both
the superior and the
inferior groups.
Type B-II
 In which the kidney
midzone is drained by
minor calyces (one to
four) entering directly
into the renal pelvis.

38. ANTEROPOSTERIOR ORIENTATION OF THE
CALYCES
 This unit is rotated
anteriorly, such that the
posterior calyces are
about 20 degrees
behind the frontal plane
and the anterior
calyces are 70 degrees
in front of the frontal
plane.
 The calyceal pairs are
rotated posteriorly, with
the posterior calyces
70 degrees behind the
frontal plane and
appearing medial and
with the anterior
calyces 20 degrees in
front of the frontal
plane and appearing
lateral .
BRÖDEL TYPE KIDNEY HODSON-TYPE KIDNEY

39. HODSON TYPE
BRODEL TYPE

40.  The posterior calyces are lateral, and the anterior
calyces are medial in the Brodel type kidney.
 Most right kidneys have a Brödel-type orientation
(posterior calyces are lateral), and most left kidneys
have a Hodson-type orientation (posterior calyces
are medial)

41.  Significance :
 A serious and troublesome complication of
endoscopic intrarenal operation is bleeding from an
injured vessel. To avoid such injury, the position of
the intrarenal vascular structures must be known in
relation to the collecting system.

42. NOT RECOMMENDED

43. RECOMMENDED

44. MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY
The functional renal unit is the nephron, which is
composed of the following:
 The renal corpuscle: glomerulus and Bowman
capsule
 Proximal convoluted tubules (PCT, located in the
renal cortex)
 Descending loop of Henle (LOH)

45.  Ascending limb (which resides in the renal
medulla, leading to the thick ascending limb)
 Thick ascending limb
 Distal convoluted tubule
 Collecting duct (which opens into the renal
papilla)

47. COVERINGS OF THE KIDNEY
 Fibrous capsule
 Perinephric fat
 Renal/ Gerota’s fascia
 Paranephric fat

48. FIBROUS CAPSULE
 Composed of fibrous tissue and smooth muscle
 Forms firm smooth investment for kidney.
 Will be sharply deflected over margin of a
subcapsular collection/mass with flattening and
compression of the kidney

49.  Surgical importance:
 Subcapsular nephrectomy done inside this
capsule. E.g. xanthomatous granulomatous
nephritis.
 In case of partial nephrectomy it gives strength
for suturing.

51. •Perinephric fat (the perirenal fat capsule) surrounds the kidneys and
their vessels as it extends into their hollow centers, the renal sinuses.
Perinephric Fat

52. GEROTAS FASCIA

53. The kidneys, suprarenal glands, and the perinephric fat surrounding them are
enclosed (except inferiorly) by a condensed, membranous layer of renal fascia,
which continues medially to ensheath the renal vessels, blending with the
vascular sheaths of the latter.
Renal Fascia

55. • Inferomedially, a delicate extension of the renal
fascia is prolonged along the ureter as the
periureteric fascia.

56. Significance :
 The Gerota fascia is closed superiorly and laterally
and serves as an anatomic barrier to the spread of
malignancy and a means of containing perinephric
fluid collections.
 It is open inferiorly, perinephric fluid collections can
track inferiorly into the pelvis without violating the
Gerota fascia and may lead to pelvic abscess.

57. •Superiorly, the renal
fascia is continuous
with the fascia on the
inferior surface of the
diaphragm
(diaphragmatic
fascia); thus the
primary attachment of
the suprarenal glands
is to the diaphragm.
•Inferiorly, the
anterior and
posterior layers of
renal fascia are
only loosely united.
Renal Fascia, contd.

58. •External to the renal fascia is paranephric fat (or the
pararenal fat body), the extraperitoneal fat of the lumbar
region that is most obvious posterior to the kidney
•The renal fascia sends collagen bundles through the
paranephric fat.
Paranephric fat

59. o The collagen bundles, renal fascia, and perinephric
and paranephric fat, along with the binding provided
by the renal vessels and ureter, hold the kidneys in
a relatively fixed position (T12-L3)
o However, movement of the kidneys occurs during
respiration and when changing from the supine to
the erect position, and vice versa.

60. LOCATION AND LONG AXIS

61. ORIENTATION OF KIDNEYS
 The kidneys lie on the
Psoas muscles.
 Thus the longitudinal
axis of the kidneys are
oblique , with the
upper poles more
medial than the inferior
poles.

62.  The medial aspect of
each kidney is rotated
anteriorly at an angle
of approximately 30
degrees.

63.  The upper pole of the
kidney lies posteriorly
than the inferior poles.

64. POSITION OF KIDNEYS
 Position of the kidney within the retroperitoneum
varies during different phases of respiration, body
position, and presence of anatomic anomalies.
 For example, the kidneys move inferiorly
approximately 3 cm (one vertebral body) during
inspiration and during changing body position from
supine to the erect position. If the kidney moves
more than it then the kidney called as
Nephroptosis/ Renal ptosis / Floating kidney.
 The position of the kidneys in the supine end-
expiration is described.

66.  Because of the inferior displacement of the right
kidney by the liver, the right kidney sits 1 to 2 cm
lower than the left kidney.
 The right kidney resides in the space between the
top of the 1st lumbar vertebra to the bottom of the
3rd lumbar vertebra.
 The left kidney occupies a space between the 12th
thoracic vertebra and the 3rd lumbar vertebra.

67.  The adult kidney’s lateral contour might have a
focal renal parenchymal bulge known as
Dromedary hump more common on left side.
 It is physiological and caused by downward
pressure from the liver or the spleen.

72. RELATIONS OF THE KIDNEY

73. RIBS:
 The left kidney is higher than the right kidney.
 The posterior surface of the right kidney is crossed
by the 12th rib.
 The left kidney crossed by the 11th and 12th ribs.

75.  Significance :
 When the lower ribs are fractured during trauma,
associated renal lacerations could occur.

76. DIAPHRAGM:
● The posterior surface of the diaphragm attaches to
the extremities of the 11th and 12th ribs.
● Close to the spine, the diaphragm is attached over
the posterior abdominal muscles and forms the
medial and lateral arcuate ligaments on each side.
● Thus the posterior aspect of the diaphragm
(posterior leaves) arches as a dome above the
superior pole of the kidneys, on each side.

77.  Significance :
 The upper poles of the kidneys come close to the
diaphragm and underlying pleural cavity containing
the lungs; thus any violations of the diaphragm
during excision of large renal masses could lead to
pleural tears and pneumothorax.

78. PLEURA:
 Generally, the posterior reflection of the pleura
extends inferiorly to the 12th rib
 The lowermost lung edge lies above the 11th rib (at
the 10th intercostal space).Regardless of the
degree of respiration (mid- or full expiration), the
risk of injury to the lung from a 10th intercostal
percutaneous approach to the kidney is prohibitive.
 The pleura is traversed without symptoms in
most intercostal approaches.

79.  Significance :
 When performing an intrarenal access by puncture,
the endourologist may consider that the diaphragm
is traversed by all intercostal punctures, and
possibly by some punctures below the 12th rib .

81.  Significance :
 Any intercostal puncture should be made in the
lower half of the intercostal space, in order to avoid
injury to the intercostal vessels above.

83. KIDNEY RELATIONSHIPS WITH LIVER AND
SPLEEN
 The liver on the right side and the spleen in the left,
may be posterolaterally positioned at the level of
the suprahilar region of the kidney, because at this
point, these organs have their larger dimensions
 Therefore, one may remember that a kidney
puncture performed high in the abdomen has little
space for the needle entrance.

85.  Significance :
 If the intrarenal puncture is performed when the
patient is in mid- or full inspiration, the risk to the
liver and spleen is increased.
 This knowledge is particularly important in patients
with hepatomegaly or splenomegaly, on whom a
computed tomography (CT) scan should be
performed before puncturing the kidney

86.  The parietal peritoneum bridging the upper pole of
the right kidney to the liver forms the hepatorenal
ligament. Therefore excessive downward traction
of the right kidney may cause capsular tear of the
liver and may lead to excessive intraoperative
bleeding.

88.  The parietal peritoneum bridging the upper pole of
the left kidney to the spleen forms the splenorenal
ligament. If excessive downward pressure is
applied to the left kidney, splenic capsular tears
may occur, leading to hemorrhage from the spleen.

90. KIDNEY RELATIONSHIPS WITH ASCENDING
AND DESCENDING COLONS
 The ascending colon runs from the ileocolic valve to the
right colic flexure (hepatic flexure), where it passes into
the transverse colon.
 The hepatic colic flexure (hepatic angle), lies anteriorly to
the inferior portion of the right kidney.

91.  The descending colon extends from the left colic
flexure (splenic flexure) to the level of the iliac crest.
 The left colic flexure lies anterolateral to the left
kidney.

92.  Significance :
 It is important to consider the position of the
retroperitoneal ascending and descending colons.
Normal relation Retrorenal Colon

93. RETRORENAL COLON
 On routine abdominal CT scan examinations, the
retroperitoneal colon is found lying in a
posterolateral or even a postrenal position which is
referred to as Retrorenal colon.
 In these cases, it is at great risk of being injured
during the intrarenal percutaneous approach.
 This event (retrorenal colon) more commonly
occurs with regard to the inferior poles of the
kidneys.

94.  It is demonstrated by CT scan that, when the
patient is in the supine position, the retrorenal colon
was found in 1.9% of the cases.
 Nevertheless, when the patient assumes the prone
position (the more frequent position used for
percutaneous access to the kidney) the retrorenal
colon was found in 10% of the cases.

95. BLOOD SUPPLY OF KIDNEYS

96. RENAL ARTERIES
•The renal arteries
arise at the level of
the intervertebral
disc between the L1
and the L2 vertebrae.
•The longer right
renal artery passes
posterior to the
inferior vena cava.

97. Typically, each artery
divides close to the hilum
into five segmental
arteries that are end
arteries (i.e. they do not
anastomose significantly
with other segmental
arteries, so that the area
supplied by each
segmental artery is an
independent, surgically
resectable unit or renal
segment).
Renal Arteries

99. INTRARENAL ARTERIAL ANATOMY

100. VASCULAR SUPPLY
Renal artery
 Interlobar arteries
 Arcuate arteries
 Interlobular arteries
 Afferent arteries
 Glomeruli
 Efferent arterioles
Peritubular plexus   Arcuate veins

101.  Significance :
 Segmental end arteries that do not anastomose
significantly with other segmental arteries.
Therefore occlusion or injury to a segmental branch
will cause segmental renal infarction.
 The posterior segmental artery from the posterior
division passes posterior to the renal pelvis while
the others pass anterior to the renal pelvis. If the
posterior segmental branch passes anterior to the
ureter, PUJO may occur.

102.  There is a longitudinal avascular plane (line of
Brodel) between the posterior and anterior
segmental arteries just posterior to the lateral
aspect of the kidney through which incision results
in significantly less blood loss.
 During anatrophic nephrolithotomy incision is made
through this avascular plane.(Boyce procedure)

103. ANATROPHIC NEPHROLITHOTOMY

104. •During their ascent to their final site, the embryonic kidneys receive their
blood supply and venous drainage from successively more superior vessels.
•Usually the inferior vessels degenerate as superior ones take over the blood
supply and venous drainage.
Accessory Renal Vessels

105. Accessory Renal Vessels
•Failure of these vessels to degenerate
results in accessory renal arteries and
veins (known as polar arteries and veins
when they enter/exit the poles of the
kidneys).
•Variations in the number and position
of these vessels occur in approximately
25% of people.

106.  Significance :
 Supernumerary renal arteries are the most
common variation, with reports of up to five
arteries, especially on the left side. The main renal
artery may manifest early branching after
originating from the abdominal aorta and before
entering the renal hilum. These prehilar arterial
branches should be detected in patients undergoing
evaluation for donor nephrectomy.

107.  Dietl’s crisis- intermittent PUJO, often associated
with an aberrant vessel to the lower pole of the
kidney

109. RENAL VENOUS
SYSTEM

110.  The intrarenal veins, unlike the arteries, do not
have a segmental model.
 In contrast to the arteries, there is free circulation
throughout the venous system, providing ample
anastomoses between the veins.
 These anastomoses, therefore, prevent
parenchymal congestion and ischemia in case of
venous injury.

111.  The small veins of the cortex, called stellate veins,
drain into the interlobular veins that form a series of
arches.
 Within the kidney substance, these arches are
arranged in arcades, which lie mainly in the
longitudinal axis.

112.  There are usually three systems of longitudinal
anastomotic arcades.
 Between the stellate veins (more peripherally) called
first order
 Between the arcuate veins (at the base of the pyramids)
called as second order
 Between the interlobar (infundibular) veins (close to the
renal sinus) which are called as third order veins.

113.  These finally drain to form the Renal Vein which
drains into IVC.
 The right and left renal veins lie anterior to the right
and left renal arteries.

114. VENOUS DRAINAGE

115. •The longer left renal vein receives the left suprarenal vein, the left gonadal
(testicular or ovarian) vein, and a communication with the ascending lumbar
vein, then passes anterior to the aorta.
•Each renal vein drains into the inferior vena cava.
Ascending lumbar
vein
Renal Veins

116.  Significance :
 The left renal vein traverses the acute angle
between the superior mesenteric artery anteriorly
and the aorta posteriorly. In thin adolescents, the
left renal vein may get compressed between the
superior mesenteric artery and aorta, causing
nutcracker syndrome.

117. NUTCRACKER SYNDROME

118. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
 Interstitial fluid leaves the kidney by either a
superficial capsular or a deeper hilar network.
 Renal lymphatics are embedded in the periarterial
loose connective tissue around the renal arteries
and are distributed primarily along the interlobular
and arcuate arteries in the cortex.

119.  Left lymphatic drainage primarily to left lateral para-
aortic lymph nodes (between the inferior
mesenteric artery and diaphragm), with occasional
additional drainage into the retrocrural nodes or
directly into the thoracic duct above the diaphragm.
 Right renal lymphatic drainage primarily goes into
the right interaortocaval and right paracaval lymph
nodes (between common iliac vessels and
diaphragm), with occasional additional drainage
from the right kidney into the retrocrural nodes or
the left lateral para-aortic lymph nodes.

120. LYMPHATICS OF KIDNEYS

121. NERVOUS SYSTEM OF KIDNEY
 The kidney can function well without neurologic
control, as evidenced by the successful function of
transplanted kidneys.
 Sympathetic preganglionic nerves originate from
the 8th thoracic through 1st lumbar spinal
segments.
 Parasympathetic fibers from the vagus nerve travel
with the sympathetic fibers to the autonomic plexus
along the renal artery.

122. The renal
sympathetics
cause
vasoconstriction.
The renal
parasympathetics
cause
vasodilatation.

123. NERVE SUPPLY OF KIDNEYS

124. URETERS

125. INDEX
 Embryology
 Anatomy
 Gross
 Microscopic
 Course of the ureter
 Normal constrictions of ureter
 Blood supply of ureter
 Lymphatic drainage
 Nerve supply

126. EMBRYOLOGY
 At the fifth week of development, the ureteric bud
arises as a diverticulum from the mesonephric
(Wolfian) duct.
 The bud grows laterally and invades the center of
the metanephrogenic blastema, the primordial renal
tissue.
 From 28 to 35 days of development, the ureter is
patent, probably as a result of the mesonephros
producing urine which fills the tube.

127.  From 37 to 40 days of development the ureter loses
its lumen.
 At 40 days of development the ureter regains a
lumen. Starting at the midpoint and progressing in
both directions toward the developing kidney and
the urogenital sinus, the lumen of the ureter
reforms.
 The last segments of the ureter to gain a lumen are
at either end (kidney or urogenital sinus)

129. Gross Anatomy
•The ureters are muscular ducts (25 -
30 cm long) with narrow lumina that
carry urine from the kidneys to the
urinary bladder.
•They run inferiorly from the apex
of the renal pelves at the hila of
the kidneys, passing over the
pelvic brim at the bifurcation of
the common iliac arteries.
•They then run along the lateral
wall of the pelvis and enter the
urinary bladder.
•The abdominal parts of the
ureters adhere closely to the
parietal peritoneum and are
retroperitoneal throughout their
course

130. MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF THE URETER
 The ureter consists of three distinct layers:
 the innermost mucosa.
 the middle muscular layer
 the outer adventitia.

131. MUCOSA
 The mucosa consists of transitional epithelium,
which has four to six layers of cells when the ureter
is contracted. These cells contain keratin
precursors that is responsible for the waterproof
property of this layer.
 The mucosa also contains many longitudinal folds
that give the empty ureter a characteristic stellar
outline.

133. MUSCLE LAYER
 The muscular wall of the ureter consists of two
longitudinal layers separated by a middle circular
layer that may not be distinct from each other.
 These smooth muscle layers are contiguous with
the smooth muscle covering the minor renal
calyces, where the pacemaker is located to initiate
the rhythmic peristalsis to deliver urine.

134. ADVENTITIA
 The adventitia, consists of a dense network of
collagen and elastic fibers, including many blood
vessels and unmyelinated nerve fibers among
them.
 In a normal kidney, the UPJ does not differ
histologically from the renal pelvis. However, in
PUJO, the longitudinal muscle fibers are
significantly increased with more collagen deposits
around the muscle fibers in addition to attenuation
of muscle bundles.

135. VARIATIONS IN ANATOMY AND ITS
SIGNIFICANCE
 Duplication of the ureter :
 Y shaped duplication - represents divergence of the
ureteric bud before meeting the metanephric blastema.

137.  Weigert- Meyer law :
 In Complete duplication the orifice of the lower
pole ureter occupies a more cranial and lateral
position.In general, the upper pole ureter drains
less renal parenchyma.

139.  Ureterocele :
 A ureterocele is a sacculation or cystic dilatation of the
terminal ureter.
 It results from incomplete canalization between the
urogenital sinus and ureteric bud.
 It may cause obstruction of an ipsilateral or contralateral
ureteral orifice or the bladder outlet.

141.  Ectopic ureteral orifice :
 An ectopic ureteral orifice often occurs in the upper pole
of duplicated systems but can also occur in single
ureters.
 The orifice is caused by delayed or failed separation of
the ureteral bud from the mesonephric ducts.

142. ECTOPIC URETERAL ORIFICE
o Posterior urethra, seminal
vesicle, and ductus
deferens are common
locations for ectopic
ureteral orifices in males,
making urinary tract
infection and epididymitis
common presenting
features.
 Ectopic ureteral orifices in
females tend to be in the
urethra, vagina, or
perineum, making total
incontinence a presenting
symptom.
MALE FEMALE

143. ECTOPIC URETERAL ORIFICE
Male Female

144. RETROCAVAL URETER
 The right ureter may pass posterior to the inferior
vena cava before hooking medially anterior to it and
then resuming its normal course to the pelvis.
 This abnormality is a vascular rather than ureteral
embryologic phenomenon, with the subcardinal
vein persisting and becoming the inferior vena cava
rather than the supracardinal vein.
 For this reason, the term preureteral inferior vena
cava has been favored in some texts. The proximal
ureter is often dilated in this setting.

146. DEVELOPMENT OF IVC

147. COURSE OF THE URETER
 The ureter is arbitrarily divided into 3 parts
 proximal (upper)
 middle (over the sacrum)
 distal (lower)
 The surface anatomy of the ureter corresponds to a
line joining a point 5 cm lateral to the L1 spinous
process and the posterior superior iliac spine.

149.  Significance :
 The close relationship of the ureter with the
terminal ileum, appendix, right and left colons,
makes it susceptible for encroachment of
inflammatory and malignant processes, resulting
in clinical presentations ranging from
microhematuria to ureteral obstruction or
even fistulae.

150.  The close proximity of the ureter to the uterine
vessels is the cause of ureteral injuries during
gynecologic procedures.
 In the case of vaginal surgery, there is a high risk
for injury especially for the left ureter that crosses
the anterior vaginal fornix closer than the right
ureter.

152.  Near the bladder, the terminal ureter is enveloped
by a muscular layer, the Waldeyer sheath, which
coalesce with those of the detrusor muscle,
therefore reflux of urine from the bladder to the
ureter is prevented during increased intravesical
pressure, such as during micturition.
 Paquin ratio : Paquin recommended a tunnel
length five times the diameter of the ureter to
prevent vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) during ureteral
reimplant.

153. INTRAMURAL URETER

154. The ureters are normally
constricted to a variable degree
in three places:
(1) at the junction of the
ureters and renal pelvis,
(2)where the ureters cross
the iliac vessels,
(3)during their passage
through the wall of the
urinary bladder.
URETER: CONSTRICTED AREAS

155.  Significance :
 These constricted areas are potential sites of
obstruction by ureteric (kidney) stones.
 Because of these constrictions , there is
increased risk of perforation at these sites.

156. •Proximal ureter – Branches arising medially
from renal arteries, testicular, ovarian arteries, the
abdominal aorta, and the common iliac arteries.
•Mid ureter : Branches arising posteriorly from
common iliac arteries.
•Distal ureter : Branches arising laterally from
superior vesical artery.
URETER BLOOD SUPPLY

157. BLOOD SUPPLY OF URETER

158. Veins draining the abdominal part of the ureters drain into the
renal and gonadal (testicular or ovarian) veins.
URETERS: VENOUS DRAINAGE

159.  Significance :
 Thus endoureterotomy should be performed
laterally in the proximal ureter, anteriorly in the
mid-portion and medially in the distal ureter.
 In open pyeloplasty spatulation of ureter is done
on lateral side.

160. •The lymphatic vessels of the
ureters join the renal collecting
vessels or pass directly to right
or left lumbar (caval or aortic)
lymph nodes and the common
iliac lymph nodes.
•Lymph drainage from the
pelvic parts of the ureters
is into the common,
external, and internal iliac
lymph nodes.
URETERS: LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

161. NERVE SUPPLY OF URETER
 The ureter receives a rich autonomic nerve supply
that originates from the celiac, aortorenal, and
mesenteric ganglia, together with the superior and
inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexuses afferent
nerves from the upper portion of the ureter reach
the spinal cord with the sympathetic fibers between
T11 and L1 and those from the lower ureter travel
via the pelvic plexus between S2 and S4.

162.  These fibers conduct afferent sensory stimuli from
the ureters and have a minor, if any, role in the
control of ureteral motility.

163.  Significance :
 This is because excised portions of the ureter
continue to contract without nervous control and
denervation of the lower portion of the ureter
does not result in reflux.

164. REFERENCE :
 Campbell -Walsh urology 11th edition
 Human embryology Inderbir Singh 8th edition
 Hinman’s Atlas of Urosurgical anatomy 2nd edition
 Smith’s Textbook of Endourology 3rd Edition

165. THANK YOU
 Anatomy of course does not change, but our understanding of
anatomy and its clinical significance does change.
– Frank H. Netter, MD