Ureters - Anatomy & Physiology

Overview

The ureters convey urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder. There are two of them one for each kidney and they are muscular tubes which pass retroperitoneally. They can be subdivided into abdominal and pelvic portions based on the area of the body they pass through. As it enters the pelvis it moves medially in the broad ligament of the female or the mesoductus of the male. It ends at its junction on the dorsolateral surface of the bladder within the lateral ligament.

Wall

It has a mucous membrane
- It is formed from transitory epithelium
- Protects against urine
Under that is a lamina propria
Followed by a muscularis layer
And finally on the outside an adventitia

Junction With the Bladder

The ureter enters the bladder obliquely
Runs between the muscular layers and mucosa
This stops back flow when the bladder is full as increasing pressure in the bladder pushes the two layers together occluding the ends of the ureters.
They open through 2 slits on a raised "hillock"

Movement of Urine

The movement of urine along the ureters is achieved by peristalsis which is powered by locally regulated smooth muscle. This maintains a low pressure in the renal pelvis.

Vascular Supply

Renal pelivs and proximal ureter: Renal artery
Distal ureter: Cranial vesicular artery and the vaginal (female) / prostatic (male)

Lymphatic Drainage

Lumbar lymph nodes