Ureter - wikipedia Ureter Not to be confused with Urethra. Ureter The ureters are tubes that carry urine and connect the kidneys to the bladder. 1. Human urinary system : 2. Kidney, 3. Renal pelvis, 4. Ureter, 5. Urinary bladder, 6. Urethra. ( Left side with frontal section ), 7. Adrenal gland Vessels : 8. Renal artery and vein, 9. Inferior vena cava, 10. Abdominal aorta, 11. Common iliac artery and vein With transparency : 12. Liver, 13. Large intestine, 14. Pelvis Details Precursor Ureteric bud System Urinary system Artery Superior vesical artery, Vaginal artery, Ureteral branches of renal artery Nerve Ureteric plexus Identifiers Latin Ureter MeSH D014513 TA A08. 2.01. 001 FMA 9704 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) In human anatomy, the ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually 25 -- 30 cm ( 10 -- 12 in ) long and around 3 -- 4 mm ( 0.12 -- 0.16 in ) in diameter. Histologically, the ureter is lined by the urothelium, a type of transitional epithelium, and has an additional smooth muscle layer in the more distal one - third to assist with peristalsis. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Blood supply 1.2 Nerve supply 1.3 Microanatomy 1.4 Development 2 Function 3 Clinical significance 3.1 Injury 3.2 Ureteral stones 3.3 Reflux 4 Other animals 5 References Structure In humans, the ureters arise from the pelvis of each kidney, and descend on top of the psoas major muscle to reach the brim of the pelvis. Here, they cross in front of the common iliac arteries. They then pass down along the sides of the pelvis, and finally curve forwards and enter the bladder from its left and right sides at the back of the bladder. This is classically depicted as running `` posteroinferiorly on the lateral walls of the pelvis and then curve anteromedially to enter the bladder ''. The orifices of the ureters are placed at the postero - lateral angles of the trigone of the bladder, and are usually slit - like in form. In the contracted bladder they are about 25 mm ( 1 in ) apart and about the same distance from the internal urethral orifice ; in the distended bladder these measurements may be increased to about 50 mm ( 2 in ). The junction between the pelvis of the kidney and the ureters is known as the ureteropelvic junction or ureteral pelvic junction, and the junction between the ureter and the bladder is known as the ureterovesical ( ureter - bladder ) junction. At the entrance to the bladder, the ureters are surrounded by valves known as ureterovesical valves, which prevent vesicoureteral reflux ( backflow of urine ). In females, the ureters pass through the mesometrium and under the uterine arteries on the way to the urinary bladder. The ureter has a diameter of 3 mm ( 0.12 in ) but there are three constrictions, which are the most common sites of renal calculus obstruction : at the pelvi - ureteric junction ( PUJ ) of the renal pelvis and the ureter as the ureter enters the pelvis and crosses over the common iliac artery bifurcation at the vesicoureteric junction ( VUJ ) as the ureter obliquely enters the bladder wall Blood supply The ureters has an arterial supply which varies along its course. The upper part of the ureter closest to the kidney is supplied by the renal arteries The middle part of the ureter is supplied by the common iliac arteries, direct branches from the abdominal aorta, and gonadal arteries ( the testicular artery in men or ovarian artery in women ) The lower part of the ureter closest to the bladder is supplied by branches from the internal iliac arteries, as well as : Superior vesical artery Uterine artery ( in women only ) Middle rectal artery Vaginal arteries ( in women only ) Inferior vesical artery ( in men only ) Within the periureteral adventitia these arteries extensively anastomose thus permitting surgical mobilization of the ureter without compromising the vascular supply as long as the adventitia is not stripped. Lymphatic and venous drainage mostly parallels that of the arterial supply. Nerve supply The ureters are richly innervated by nerves that travel alongside the blood vessels, building the ureteric plexus. The primary sensation to the ureters is provided by nerves that come from T12 - L2 segments of the spinal cord. Thus pain may be referred to the dermatomes of T12 - L2, namely the back and sides of the abdomen, the scrotum ( males ) or labia majora ( females ) and upper part of the front of the thigh. But it is also innervated by T11 and T12 ( pain of the ureteric colic ) Microanatomy The ureter is lined by urothelium, a type of transitional epithelium that is capable of responding to stretches in the ureters. The transitional epithelium may appear as a columnar epithelia when relaxed, and squamous epithelia when distended. Below the epithelium, a Lamina Propria exists. The Lamina Propria is made up of loose connective tissue with many elastic fibers interspersed with blood vessels, veins and lymphatics. The ureter is surrounded by two muscular layers, an inner longitudinal layer of muscle, and an outer circular or spiral layer of muscle. View of the ureter under the microscope Wall of the ureter Development See also : Development of the urinary system During the embryologic development of the kidney, the ureteropelvic junction is the last part of the ureter to become patent. Function The ureters are a component of the urinary system. Urine, produced by the kidneys, travels along the ureters to the bladder. Ultrasound showing a jet of urine entering the bladder ( large black section ) through the ureter. Clinical significance Cancer of the ureters is known as ureteral cancer. Failure of the ureteropelvic junction to become patent during development is the most frequent cause of bilateral hydronephrosis, particularly in male neonates. Pyeloplasty, which involves excision of the stenotic section and creation of a new junction, is the most common and effective treatment for this problem. Injury Injuries to the ureter with certain forms of trauma including penetrating abdominal injuries and injuries at high speeds followed by an abrupt stop ( e.g., a high speed car accident ). The ureter is injured in 0.2 per 1,000 cases of vaginal hysterectomies and 1.3 per 1,000 cases of abdominal hysterectomies, near the infundibulopelvic ( suspensory ) ligament or where the ureter courses posterior to the uterine vessels. Ureteral Stones A kidney stone can move from the kidney and become lodged inside the ureter, which can block the flow of urine, as well as cause a sharp cramp in the back, side, or lower abdomen. The affected kidney could then develop hydronephrosis, should a part of the kidney become swollen due to blocked flow of urine. There are three sites where a kidney stone will commonly become stuck : at the ureteric junction of renal pelvis ; as the ureter passes over the iliac vessels ; where the ureter enters into the urinary bladder ( vesicoureteric junction ). Reflux Vesicoureteral reflux refers to the reflux of fluid from the bladder to the ureters during urination. This condition can be one cause of chronic urinary tract infections, particularly in children. It is unclear if there is a role of surgery in vesicoureteral reflux. Other animals Ureters are also found in all other amniote species, although different ducts fulfill the same role in amphibians and fish. References ^ Jump up to : Drake, Richard L. ; Vogl, Wayne ; Mitchell, Adam W.M. ( 2005 ). Gray 's Anatomy for Students. Illustrated by Richardson, Paul. Philadelphia : Elsevier / Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8089 - 2306 - 0. Jump up ^ Wein, Alan J. ( 2011 ). Campbell - Walsh Urology ( 10th ed. ). Elsevier. p. 31. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ Dudeck, Ronald W. ( 2007 ). High - Yield Kidney. High - Yield Systems ( 1st ed. ). Lippincott Willams and Wilkins. p. 19. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7817 - 5569 - 6. Jump up ^ Lowe, Alan Stevens, James S. ( 2005 ). Human histology ( 3rd ed. ). Philadelphia & Toronto : Elsevier Mosby. ISBN 0 - 3230 - 3663 - 5. Jump up ^ Stein, D.M. ; Santucci, R.A. ( July 2015 ). `` An update on urotrauma ''. Current Opinion in Urology. 25 ( 4 ) : 323 -- 30. doi : 10.1097 / MOU. 0000000000000184. PMID 26049876. Jump up ^ Burks, F.N. ; Santucci, R.A. ( June 2014 ). `` Management of iatrogenic ureteral injury ''. Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 6 ( 3 ) : 115 -- 24. doi : 10.1177 / 1756287214526767. PMC 4003841. PMID 24883109. Jump up ^ Santucci, Richard A. `` Ureteral Trauma ''. Medscape. Retrieved 11 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Symptoms of Kidney Stones ''. MedicalBug. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012. Jump up ^ Resnick, Martin I. ; Lam, Mildred ; Zipp, Thomas ( 4 September 2009 ). `` Kidney Stones ''. NetWellness. Retrieved 11 April 2012. Jump up ^ Najar, M.S. ; Saldanha, C.L. ; Banday, K.A. ( October 2009 ). `` Approach to urinary tract infections ''. Indian Journal of Nephrology. 19 ( 4 ) : 129 -- 139. doi : 10.4103 / 0971 - 4065.59333. ISSN 0971 - 4065. PMC 2875701. PMID 20535247. Jump up ^ Romer, Alfred Sherwood ; Parsons, Thomas S. ( 1977 ). The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA : Holt - Saunders International. p. 378. ISBN 0 - 03 - 910284 - X. Human systems and organs Musculoskeletal Skeletal system Bone Carpus Collar bone ( clavicle ) Thigh bone ( femur ) Fibula Humerus Mandible Metacarpus Metatarsus Ossicles Patella Phalanges Radius Skull Tarsus Tibia Ulna Rib Vertebra Pelvis Sternum Cartilage Joints Fibrous joint Cartilaginous joint Synovial joint Muscular system Muscle Tendon Diaphragm Circulatory system Cardiovascular system peripheral Artery Vein Lymphatic vessel Heart Lymphatic system primary Bone marrow Thymus secondary Spleen Lymph node CNS equivalent Glymphatic system Nervous system Brain Spinal cord Nerve Sensory system Ear Eye Integumentary system Skin Subcutaneous tissue Breast Mammary gland Immune system Myeloid Myeloid immune system Lymphoid Lymphoid immune system Respiratory system Upper Nose Nasopharynx Larynx Lower Trachea Bronchus Lung Digestive system Mouth Salivary gland Tongue upper GI Oropharynx Laryngopharynx Esophagus Stomach lower GI Small intestine Appendix Colon Rectum Anus accessory Liver Biliary tract Pancreas Urinary system Genitourinary system Kidney Ureter Bladder Urethra Reproductive system Female Uterus Vagina Vulva Ovary Placenta Male Scrotum Penis Prostate Testicle Seminal vesicle Endocrine system Pituitary Pineal Thyroid Parathyroid Adrenal Islets of Langerhans Anatomy of the urinary system Kidneys Layers Fascia Capsule Cortex column Medulla sinus pyramids medullary interstitium Lobe Cortical lobule Medullary ray Nephron Circulation Arteries Renal artery segmental interlobar arcuate interlobular afferent Veins Renal vein Peritubular capillaries Vasa recta arcuate interlobar efferent Nephron Renal corpuscle Glomerulus Bowman 's capsule Glomerular basement membrane Podocyte Filtration slits Mesangium Intraglomerular mesangial cell Renal tubule Proximal convoluted tubule Loop of Henle Descending Thin ascending Thick ascending Distal convoluted tubule Connecting tubule Collecting ducts Tubular fluid Renal papilla Minor calyx Major calyx Renal pelvis Juxtaglomerular apparatus Macula densa Juxtaglomerular cells Mesangium Extraglomerular mesangial cell Ureters Ureteropelvic junction Bladder Apex Uvula Neck Median umbilical ligament Muscular layer Trigone Detrusor Mucosa Submucosa Urethra Urethral sphincters External sphincter male female Internal sphincter GND : 4159143 - 4 NDL : 00568747 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ureter&oldid=831230955 '' Categories : Abdomen Urinary system Kidney Hidden categories : Pages with unresolved properties Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from March 2014 Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Беларуская Български Bosanski Català Čeština Cymraeg Deutsch ދިވެހިބަސް Eesti Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Ido Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Basa Jawa ქართული Қазақша Kurdî Кыргызча Latviešu Lietuvių Limburgs Magyar Македонски Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Scots Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Tagalog తెలుగు Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 粵語 中文 45 more Edit links This page was last edited on 19 March 2018, at 14 : 17. 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Question: what tissue types form the wall of the ureter
Answer: the urothelium, a type of transitional epithelium, and has an additional smooth muscle layer in the more distal one-third to assist with peristalsis