566 URINARY ORGANS OF THE OX 
The kidneys of the sheep are bean-shaped and smooth, without any superficial 
lobation. The soft organ is regularly elliptical in form, with convex dorsal and 
ventral surfaces and rounded extremities; its length is about 3 inches (ca. 7.5 cm.), 
its width about 2 inches (ca. 5 em.), and its thickness a little more than 1 inch (ea. 
3cm.). They are embedded in fat normally. In position they resemble those of 
the ox, except that the right one is usually a little further back, and lies under the 
first three lumbar transverse processes.!. The average weight of each is about four 
ounces. The hilus is in the middle of the medial border. There is a renal crest or 
common papilla formed by the fusion of twelve to sixteen pyramids. 
The ureters are, in general, like those of the horse, except in regard to the 
first part of the left one, which has a peculiar course, in conformity with the remark- 
able position of the kidney. It begins at the ventral part of the hilus (which faces 
Fic. 507.—Ricur Kipney or SHeer; VENTRAL Vinw. Fig. 508.—Kipney or SHeep; Horizonrat SEcrION. 
V.V., Branches of renal vein. 1, Cortical substance; 2, medullary substance; 3, 
renal crest; 4, renal pelvis; 5, ureter. (From Leisering’s 
Atlas, reduced.) 
toward the right), curves over the lateral aspect of the kidney to its dorsal surface, 
crosses the median plane, and runs backward on the left side. 
The bladder is longer and narrower than that of the horse, and extends further 
forward on the abdominal floor. The peritoneal coat extends backward further 
than in the horse. 
THE ADRENAL BODIES 
The right adrenal lies against the medial part of the anterior pole of the right 
kidney. When hardened in situ, it is pyramidal in form. Its medial surface is 
flattened and is in contact with the right crus of the diaphragm. The lateral sur- 
face is convex and lies in the renal impression of the liver. The ventral surface is 
grooved for the posterior vena cava; on this surface a relatively large vein emerges 
near the apex. The base is concave and rests obliquely against the anterior pole 
of the kidney. The apex fits into the angle between the posterior vena cava and 
1 When the rumen is full, the left kidney (which is attached by a short mesentery) usually 
lies entirely to the right of the median plane, and is ventral to the third, fourth, and fifth lumbar 
transverse processes. The primitive dorsal surface has become ventro-medial, and is somewhat 
flattened by contact with the rumen. 
