Hydronephrosis - Anatomy
Anatomical Considerations
Where are the kidneys located:
1. Quite posterior (dorsal): they are retroperitoneal organs so they are quite far back -- you will often find them somewhere between the posterior axillary to mid-axillary lines.
1. Quite posterior (dorsal): they are retroperitoneal organs so they are quite far back -- you will often find them somewhere between the posterior axillary to mid-axillary lines.
2. Last several rib spaces: they can usually be seen in the last several rib spaces from a lateral perspective though they can move depending on whether the patient is supine or erect, inspiring or expiring.
3. Adjacent organs:
3. Adjacent organs:
- Right kidney: envelopes the right kidney so it is usually easy to image given the liver acts as a sonographic window
- Left kidney:
sometimes it is flanked by the spleen but sometimes not at all
Take Home Messages:
- The kidneys are very posterior
- Usually can be found in the last few rib spaces laterally
- Right kidney is mostly covered by the liver
- Left kidney maybe flanked by the spleen