Kidney surface anatomy

T12-L3 level

  • L kidney up to 11th rib
    Hilum = L1
    Downward movement about 2.5cm on inspiration

anatomical relations

R kidney

Direct contact Anterior to kidney Posterior to kidney
In direct contact

- Diaphragm
- Right adrenal gland
- Duodenum
- Colon

Layer of peritoneum in-between

- Liver
- Distal part of small intestine
- Liver
- Adrenal
- Duodenum (2nd part)
- Right colic flexure
- Diaphragm
- Costodiaphragmatic recess of pleura
- 12th rib
- Psoas, quadratus and transversus (medial to lateral)
- Iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
- 12th thoracic nerve (subcostal nerve)

L kidney

Direct contact Anterior Posterior to kidney
In direct contact

- Diaphragm
- Left adrenal gland
- Pancreas
- Colon

Layer of peritoneum in-between

- Stomach
- Spleen
- Distal part of small intestine
- Adrenal
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Left colic flexure
- Jejunum
- Diaphragm
- Costodiaphragmatic recess of pleura
- 11th and 12th rib
- Psoas, quadratus and transversus (medial to lateral)
- Iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
- 12th thoracic nerve (subcostal nerve)