432 PHYSIOLOGY. 



colon; the left kidney lies in relation with the fundus of the stom- 

 ach, the tail of the pancreas, and the descending colon. Superiorly 

 lie the suprarenal bodies. The kidneys are incased in a variable quan- 

 tity of fat and loose areolar tissue, to which has been given the name 

 perirenal fat. 



The kidneys are firm organs, of variable color, between light red 

 and bluish, according to the degree of congestion; each kidney 

 weighs about four and one-half ounces. In shape they resemble a 



Fig. 161. Relations of the Kidney. (After SAPPEY.) 



1, 1, The two kidneys. 2, 2, Fibrous capsules. 3, Pelvis of the kidney. 

 4, Ureter. 5, Renal artery. 6, Renal vein. 7, Suprarenal body. 8, 8, Liver 

 raised to show relation of its lower surface to right kidney. 9, Gall-bladder. 

 10, Terminus of portal vein. 11, Origin of common bile-duct. 12, Spleen 

 turned outward to show relations with left kidney. 13, Semicircular pouch 

 on which the lower end of the spleen rests. 14, Abdominal aorta. 15, Vena 

 cava inferior. 16, Left spermatic vein and artery. 17, Right spermatic vein 

 opening into vena cava inferior. 18, Subperitoneal fibrous layer or fascia 

 propria dividing to form renal sheath. 19, Lower end of quadratus lumborum 

 muscle. 



bean, their length being double their width; each kidney is about 

 four inches in length, two inches in width, and one inch in thickness. 

 The internal border of each kidney is concave, the concavity 

 being directed slightly forward and downward. This portion of the 

 kidney is divided by a deep, longitudinal fissure, bounded by a prom- 

 inent anterior and posterior lip. The fissure is known as the hilus, 



