The Kidneys
The account of the kidneys presented here concentrates on their positions and relations. The rest of the anatomy is considered in Chapter 15.
The kidneys in the dog are bean shaped and retroperitoneally positioned against the sublumbar muscles.
The usual position of the right kidney is below the first three lumbar vertebrae, and that of left is below the second to fourth (Fig. 14.25, 14.28, 14.29 and 14.30), although they may be found a full vertebral length more caudally. The right kidney is more restricted by being deeply recessed within the liver and is related medially to the right adrenal gland and caudal vena cava, laterally to the last rib and abdominal wall, and ventrally to the liver and pancreas (Fig. 14.30). The left kidney is related cranially to the spleen (or stomach when enlarged), medially to the left adrenal gland and aorta, laterally to the abdominal wall, and ventrally to the descending colon.The cat's kidneys are relatively large and are given a distinctive appearance by capsular veins converging over the surface toward the hilus (Fig. 14.31). They are more mobile than the kidneys of the dog Fig. 14.27 and a call out especially the left one, which can be displaced cranially or caudally from its usual position below the second to fifth lumbar vertebrae; it has been taken for a pathologic swelling. In cats, both kidneys are readily palpable.
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