THE KIDNEYS 



1219 



The medial border (margo medialis; internal border} is concave in the center and 

 convex toward either extremity; it is directed forward and a little downward. 



FIG. 1124. The relations of the kidneys from behind. 



Its central part presents a deep longitudinal fissure, bounded by prominent over- 



hanging anterior and posterior lips, 

 the vessels, nerves, and ureter. 

 Above the hilum the medial 

 border is in relation with the 

 suprarenal gland ; below the hilum, 

 with the ureter. 



Extremities. The superior ex- 

 tremity (extremitas superior} is 

 thick and rounded, and is nearer 

 the median line than the lower; it 

 is surmounted by the suprarenal 

 gland, which covers also a small 

 portion of the anterior surface. 



The inferior extremity (extrem- 

 itas inferior} is smaller and thin- 

 ner than the superior and farther 

 from the median line. It extends 

 to within 5 cm. of the iliac crest. 



The relative position of the 

 main structures in the hilum is as 

 follows: the vein is in front, the 

 artery in the middle, and the 

 ureter behind and directed down- 

 ward. Frequently, however, 

 branches of both artery and 

 vein are placed behind the ureter. 



This fissure is named the hilum, and transmits 



Eleventh rib 



Twelfth rib 



Posterior 



lamella of 



renal fascia 



Paranephric 

 body 



Peritoneum 



Vessels of hilum 

 of kidney 



Section of 



right colic 



flexure 



FIG. 1125. Sagittal section through posterior abdominal wall, 

 showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. (After Gerota). 



