THE GLANDULE RENALES. 117 



CHAPTER IV. 



OF THE URINARY ORGANS AND THE GLANDULE RENALES. 



The lu'inaiy organs consist of the Kidneys, which are 

 situated in the lumbar regions ; of the Bladder, which is in the 

 pelvis ; of the Ureters, which are flexible tubes or canals that 

 pass from the kidneys to the bladder ; and of the Urethra, or 

 tube through which the urine is discharged from the bladder. 



These organs have but little connexion with the peritoneum. 

 The kidneys are behind it, and a considerable quantity of cellu- 

 lar membrane is placed between them and it. The ureters 

 are also behind it ; and but a part of the bladder is invested 

 with it. 



The GlandulcB Renales are described with the urinary organs, 

 on account of their contiguity to the kidneys ; and to avoid a 

 derangement of the natural order of description, they are 

 considered first. 



The urethra pertains to the organs of generation as well as to 

 the urinary organs, and can be described most advantageously 

 with them. 



Of the Glandulce Renales. (Renes Succenturiati, CapsulcE 

 Atrabiliares.) 



These are two small bodies situated on the psoas muscles, one 

 on each side of the spine, behind the peritoneum and above the 

 kidney, being in contact with its upper and anterior edge. They 

 have an irregular semilunar figure with three aides, one of which 

 is accommodated to the convexity of the kidney. Their color is 

 commonly a dull yellow. 



The appearance and texture of these bodies have some resem- 

 blance to those of glands, and hence their name^ but they have 

 no excretory duct. 



When they are laid open by an incision, a cavity often appears, 



