Organ
Pelvic part of the ureter
The sidewall-to-bladder portion of the urinary conduit
High-yield
The uterine artery crosses superior to the female ureter near the cervix. The ductus deferens crosses above the male ureter near the bladder; exact distances vary.
Overview
After crossing the pelvic brim, the ureter descends along the sidewall and turns toward the bladder base. Pelvic vessels and reproductive structures create important crossing relationships. The terminal segment travels obliquely within the bladder wall.
Reference facts
- Location
- Runs through extraperitoneal sidewall tissue, then turns anteromedially near the ischial-spine region toward the bladder.
- Parts
- Descending sidewall, curved juxtavesical and intramural portions form a continuous muscular tube.
- Blood supply
- Vesical and other internal iliac branches, with uterine and vaginal contributions in females; branches generally approach from the lateral side.
- Innervation
- Pelvic autonomic plexuses accompany the ureter; visceral sensory routes include thoracolumbar and sacral pathways.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Veins join regional pelvic plexuses; lymph drains to common, internal and external iliac groups according to level.
- Relations
- In females it passes below the uterine artery beside the cervix and vaginal fornix; in males it passes beneath the ductus deferens near the seminal-vesicle region.
- Function
- Propels urine to the bladder and participates in the antireflux mechanism through its intramural course.
Clinical correlation
The ureter's proximity to uterine and ovarian vascular pedicles makes it vulnerable during pelvic operations. Injury may involve direct damage, ligation or interruption of its adventitial circulation.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pelvic part of the ureter located?
Runs through extraperitoneal sidewall tissue, then turns anteromedially near the ischial-spine region toward the bladder.
What does the pelvic part of the ureter do?
Propels urine to the bladder and participates in the antireflux mechanism through its intramural course.
What are the parts of the pelvic part of the ureter?
The parts of the pelvic part of the ureter are the descending sidewall, curved juxtavesical and intramural portions form a continuous muscular tube.
What is the blood supply of the pelvic part of the ureter?
Vesical and other internal iliac branches, with uterine and vaginal contributions in females; branches generally approach from the lateral side.