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Ureters

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...

The Micturition Reflex

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Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

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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...

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Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry

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Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive urodynamic test designed to measure various aspects of urination, including volume, flow rate, and the time to void. This test is crucial for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction, bladder dysfunction, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, and urinary tract blockages caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urethral strictures.Pre-Test Instructions:Before a uroflowmetry test, patients are typically advised to drink...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

Ureteral motility.

F Osman¹, I Romics, P Nyírády

¹Department of Urology and Clinical Experimental Research Department, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. osman_fares@yahoo.com

Acta Physiologica Hungarica

|November 28, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ureteral peristalsis, crucial for urine transport, is primarily myogenic, originating in the renal pelvis. Advanced studies explore biomechanics and electrophysiology to understand urine propulsion and related pathologies.

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Area of Science:

Urology
Physiology
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

The ureter transports urine from kidneys to the bladder via peristalsis.
Ureteral peristalsis is mainly a myogenic process initiated by renal pelvis pacemaker cells.
Hydrodynamic factors and neurogenic modulation also influence ureteral function.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the myogenic mechanisms of ureteral peristalsis.
To understand the role of hydrodynamic factors in urine bolus propulsion.
To investigate pathological conditions affecting ureteral function and potential treatments.

Main Methods:

Review of historical and recent studies on ureteral peristalsis.
Analysis of ureteral biomechanics and smooth muscle cell electrophysiology.
Examination of membrane ionic currents, cytoskeletal components, and pharmacophysiology.

Main Results:

The myogenic theory, originating from pacemaker cells in the renal pelvis, is central to ureteral peristalsis.
Urine flow rate significantly impacts peristaltic rhythm, rate, amplitude, and pressure.
Recent research has enhanced understanding of urine bolus propulsion and pathological mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Ureteral peristalsis is fundamentally a myogenic process with significant hydrodynamic influences.
Further research in biomechanics and electrophysiology is key to understanding and treating ureteral dysfunction.
Improved comprehension of these mechanisms offers potential for therapeutic interventions.