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Related Concept Videos

Ureters01:22

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters01:11

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra01:19

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Introduction to Urinary System01:13

Introduction to Urinary System

The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...
Urethra01:16

Urethra

The urethra is a hollowed tubular organ through which urine is expelled from the body. This structure extends from the bladder to the external opening, allowing urine to be released.
The anatomy of the urethra differs between males and females. In females, the urethra is short, measuring about 3–4 cm in length, and opens anterior to the vaginal opening. In males, the urethra is longer and passes through the penis, serving dual purposes: expelling urine and ejaculating semen. The male urethra is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

In Vivo Imaging of Muscle-tendon Morphogenesis in Drosophila Pupae
08:33

In Vivo Imaging of Muscle-tendon Morphogenesis in Drosophila Pupae

Published on: February 6, 2018

Ureter myogenesis: putting Teashirt into context.

Claire M Lye1, Laurent Fasano, Adrian S Woolf

  • 1UCL Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|November 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Teashirt-3 (Tshz3) is crucial for mammalian ureter smooth muscle development. Its absence causes congenital hydronephrosis, suggesting a link to human pelviureteric junction obstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Urology

Background:

  • Mammalian ureter peristalsis relies on smooth muscle coordination, originating in the fetal period.
  • Teashirt-3 (Tshz3), a transcription factor, is expressed in ureter smooth muscle precursors.
  • The Teashirt gene family plays conserved roles in development across species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Teashirt-3 (Tshz3) in mammalian ureter development and smooth muscle differentiation.
  • To explore the molecular pathways involving Tshz3 in ureteric smooth muscle formation.
  • To establish a potential link between Tshz3 function and congenital pelviureteric junction obstruction.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Tshz3 null mutant mice to observe ureter development and function.

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  • Investigation of gene expression patterns and signaling pathways related to ureter smooth muscle differentiation.
  • Comparison of murine phenotypes with human congenital kidney and urinary tract disorders.

    • Main Results:

    • Tshz3 null mutation in mice resulted in failed muscularization of the upper ureter.
    • This muscularization defect led to the development of congenital hydronephrosis.
    • A signaling pathway involving sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic protein 4, and Tshz3 in smooth muscle differentiation was proposed.

    Conclusions:

    • Tshz3 is essential for the functional muscularization of the mammalian ureter.
    • The study suggests that mutations in the Tshz3-mediated pathway may underlie human congenital pelviureteric junction obstruction.
    • Understanding Tshz3's role provides insights into congenital urinary tract anomalies.