A ureteral access sheath in combination with an obturator, the combination comprising: an access sheath comprising: an elongate tube having a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end; a handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube having a flared configuration, a first surface facing generally distally, and a second surface facing generally proximally, wherein the second surface extends decreasingly radially inwardly with progressive equal distal positions along the tube; and an obturator insertable through and removable from the elongate tube and the handle, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the obturator, the obturator comprising an elongate rod extending between a proximal end and a distal end; the elongate rod having a tapered tip at the distal end and a knob disposed at the proximal end; the knob of the obturator extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end of the elongate rod extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the obturator is inserted into the elongate tube; wherein the obturator further includes a releasable lock that can removably attach the obturator to the sheath so that they can be passed as a single unit. an access sheath comprising: an elongate tube having a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end; a handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube having a flared configuration, a first surface facing generally distally, and a second surface facing generally proximally, wherein the second surface extends decreasingly radially inwardly with progressive equal distal positions along the tube; and an obturator insertable through and removable from the elongate tube and the handle, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the obturator, the obturator comprising an elongate rod extending between a proximal end and a distal end; the elongate rod having a tapered tip at the distal end and a knob disposed at the proximal end; the knob of the obturator extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end of the elongate rod extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the obturator is inserted into the elongate tube; wherein the obturator further includes a releasable lock that can removably attach the obturator to the sheath so that they can be passed as a single unit. an elongate tube having a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end; a handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube having a flared configuration, a first surface facing generally distally, and a second surface facing generally proximally, wherein the second surface extends decreasingly radially inwardly with progressive equal distal positions along the tube; and an obturator insertable through and removable from the elongate tube and the handle, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the obturator, the obturator comprising an elongate rod extending between a proximal end and a distal end; the elongate rod having a tapered tip at the distal end and a knob disposed at the proximal end; the knob of the obturator extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end of the elongate rod extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the obturator is inserted into the elongate tube; wherein the obturator further includes a releasable lock that can removably attach the obturator to the sheath so that they can be passed as a single unit.