Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra Quiz

See The Kidneys. The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs on the posterior abdominal wall, E. Retroperitoneal means behind the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers many abdominal organs. The kidneys lie on either side of the vertebral column, below the diaphragm. The right kidney is usually a little lower because the liver occupies space above it. They are therefore reached through a different anatomical space from organs suspended within the peritoneal cavity. This location helps explain why kidney pain is often felt in the flank or back.

An intraperitoneal position (D) would place an organ within the peritoneal compartment, which is not the normal renal arrangement. Suspension by a mesentery in the pelvis (C) is also incorrect: a mesentery is a supporting fold of peritoneum, and normal adult kidneys sit higher in the posterior abdomen. The thoracic cavity (B) lies above the diaphragm, whereas the kidneys are below it. The pericardial cavity (A) is the potential space around the heart and has no normal role in housing the kidneys.