Anatomy of ureters

describe the abdominal part of the ureter

• retroperitoneal

• descend on psoas major muscle

• cross pelvic brim (bifurcation of CIA)

describe the pelvic part of the ureter

• descend in lateral pelvic wall

• and then forwards

• and medially to base of bladder

• crossed by vas deferens

what do the ureters form in females

• posterior boundary of ovarian fossa

• crossed by uterine artery

3 constrictions of ureters

• pelvic-ureteric junction

• pelvic brim

• vesico-ureteric junnction (ureter pierces bladder wall)

mucosa of ureters

• transitional epithelium

muscle layer of ureters

smooth

coat of ureters

adventitia/fibrous coat

arterial supply of ureters

• renal artery

• gonadal artery

• abdominal aorta

• CIA

• IIA

• Superior vesicle artery

• uterine artery (females)

• middle rectal artery

• vaginal artery (females)

• inferior vesicle artery

innervation of ureters

• sympathetic (T10-L1) via coeliac and renal ganglia

• afferents accompany sympathetics (pain distribution)

• parasympathetic via vagus and pelvic splanchnics

lymphatic drainage of kidneys and ureters

• paraaortic nodes

• Common iliac nodes

• internal and external iliac nodes