All people know that urine is formed in the kidneys. The urine reservoir is the bladder. In order for urine to enter the bladder, it must pass through the ureter. That is, this organ serves as a kind of "hose" for transporting finished urine. What does this organ look like? What are its functions? What is the topography of the ureter? Are there any differences between the male and female ureter? You will receive answers to these questions in this article. In order to understand everything, we need to consider the structure, anatomy of the ureter in women.
The appearance of the body
In women, the ureter is a smooth muscle tissue that forms the tube. The length of this tube is not more than 32 centimeters, and its diameter is not more than 1 cm. According to the topography, the ureter consists of 3 parts. The upper part is in the retroperitoneal space, in this place the organ binds to the renal pelvis. It is worth noting that the urine that forms in the nephron of the kidney accumulates in the collecting tube, then enters the pelvis, and then into the ureter.
The second part is the subperitoneal. This part of the ureter is located in the subperitoneal cell space. Here the organ in front is covered with fiber of the pelvis.
The third part is the smallest. This small fragment of the organ is located in the wall of the bladder, that is, in the place where the ureter passes into the bladder.
The ureter, like the kidneys, is a paired organ. It should be noted that the length of the right and left ureter is significantly different. Since the right kidney is slightly lower, the right ureter is slightly smaller.
The topography of the ureter is the same for both women and men. In addition, ureteral pathologies are not uncommon for both sexes equally.
Ureteral narrowing
In the topography of the ureters in women, there are three main narrowings. What is the clinical significance of these contractions?
The thing is that the stones that form in the kidneys go down from the pelvis to the ureter. Since there is a narrowing in the ureter itself, it is highly likely that the stone will not be able to pass through these anatomical formations. During the blockade of one of the constrictions by stone, urgent hospitalization is necessary. In the event of hospitalization, the surgeon must know where the stone can be located. The places of accumulation of stones are the anatomical narrowing of the organ.
There are 3 restrictions in total. The upper is a narrowing, which is located along the confluence of the pelvis into the ureter. This place is limited from above by a pelvis, and below by an ureter. At this point, the diameter of the ureter is about 4 mm.
In the place where the iliac artery and iliac vein pass in the small pelvis, the ureter passes above them. Here is the middle narrowing of the ureter. Its diameter here is about 3-4 mm.
A little lower, namely at the place where the ureter flows into the bladder, is located - the lower narrowing of the ureter. The diameter of the organ here is 2-4 mm. The lower narrowing of the lower body of the bladder, and the upper ureter is limited.
Topography of the ureter
The organ itself is projected in the umbilical and pubic areas. From top to bottom, the ureter goes along the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle. Then he goes from the outside to the inside. Thus, the ureter crosses the large lumbar muscle, through which numerous nerve endings pass. That is why, when a stone passes, pain can spread to the inguinal, scrotum and lower back, and in some cases, irradiation can even reach the sciatic nerve.
Organ blood supply
The blood supply to the organ is different in all three of its departments. In the upper third, blood supply to the organ is carried out by branches of the large renal artery.
In the middle third, it occurs due to the artery of the testicle - in men, ovary - in women.
In the lower third, the ureter is supplied with blood through the branches of the internal iliac artery, which is located in the pelvic cavity.
Venous outflow in each part of the ureter occurs due to veins that have the same names as the arteries.
Outflow of lymph
Occurs through the lymphatic vessels from the bottom up. First, the lymph rises to the local lymph nodes of the ureter, then to the regional nodes of the kidney. From there, the outflow goes to the aortic lymph nodes, and then to the caval, then to the lumbar and eventually into the venous sinuses.
Ureter innervation
It occurs differently in the lower and upper sections. In the upper ureter, that is, the abdominal region, innervation is carried out by the renal nerve plexus.
In the lower part of the organ, that is, in the cavity of the large and small pelvis, innervation occurs due to the abdominal nerve plexus.