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The ureters are an important element of the structure of the urinary system. The ureters are the paired tubes that connect the renal pelvis to the human bladder. They are about 28-30 cm long. At the point where the ureter meets the bladder, there is a special valve that prevents the flow of urine. Check out the most common ureteral diseases.
The ureters are an important part of the urinary system. Thanks to them, urine goes from the kidneys to the bladder. They are not free from diseases and various ailments. Among the diseases associated with the ureters, we can find, for example, narrowing of the ureters.
Ureters – structure
The ureters are 0,5-0,8 cm wide and 28-30 cm long. They have 3 natural constrictions. They are characterized by a well-developed muscular membrane, while from the inside they are calibrated with a mucosa.
The outer membrane of the ureters, i.e. the adventitia, covers the muscular membrane. Directly under the muscular membrane is the mucosa, which is located on the lumen of the ureter.
Peristaltic movements of the ureter occur every 15-60 seconds. Thanks to them, it is possible to move the urine towards the bladder. The pressure in the ureters is very high, which allows the bladder to be filled to the maximum. These movements are supported by the construction of the mucosa, which forms folds that facilitate the closure of the ureteral lumen during contraction of the muscle membrane.
Ureters – function
The task of the ureters is to transport the produced urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Ureters – course
The ureters can be divided into three parts:
- the ventral part of the ureter runs in the retroperitoneal space;
- the pelvic part of the ureter runs in the smaller pelvis;
- the intramural part of the ureter that runs through the bladder wall.
The ureter runs from top to bottom and is directed more towards the center. In the abdominal part, the ureter is located retroperitoneally and is located in the area of the costal processes of the lower lumbar vertebrae, the greater lumbar muscles and the genitourinary nerve.
Ureters – diseases
- Ureteral tumors account for 5-10% of all tumors associated with the urinary system. Their causes are not fully understood. Smoking is one of the risk factors. Heavy smokers are three times more likely to develop the disease than non-smokers. Another risk factor is exposure to various substances derived from chemical components. People working in the textile, leather, printing, chemical and rubber industries are the most vulnerable. Any situation where damage to the ureter can affect the risk of ureteral cancer. People with ureteral defects are also more likely to develop the disease.
- The constriction of the ureters leads to a retention of urine in the ureters and kidneys. As a result, there are serious urinary tract infections and even kidney failure. The narrowing of the ureters may be the result of a congenital defect in the muscle membrane. The cause of stricture is also abnormal vascularization of the ureter, or, for example, connective tissue adhesions. Ureteral stricture can also be the result of, for example, enlargement of the prostate gland, urinary calculus, but also damage to the ureter.
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