Externe anatomie van de nier

The kidneys are located at the T12 to L3 vertebrae and partly protected by the eleventh and twelfth ribs.

A kidney typically measures about 10 to 12 cm in length, 5 to 7 cm in width, and 3 cm in thickness. It weighs approximately 125 to 175g in males and 115 to 155g in females.

In a transverse section, each kidney has the renal hilum on the concave medial border. The renal hilium is the entry and exit point for structures like the ureter, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

Three layers of supportive tissue envelop each kidney.

The innermost renal capsule, a transparent sheet of dense irregular connective tissue, serves as a protective barrier and is continuous with the outer coat of the ureter.

The perirenal fat capsule is a fatty tissue mass surrounding the renal capsule, providing further protection and holding the kidney in place.

The renal fascia, a superficial layer of dense irregular connective tissue, firmly anchors the kidney to the surrounding structures and the abdominal wall.