Kidneys, suprarenal, glands and posterior abdominal vessels, nerves and muscles
Renal fascia, general anterior view
On the right side the peritoneum (2) which lay above and to the right of the ascending colon has been elevated. The layer of renal fascia (1) which covered the anterior aspect of the right kidney has been cut and the central area of this fascia (between pointers in drawing) has been removed. The fascia has been elevated away from the kidney. On the left side there was no peritoneum directly overlying the renal fascia. The anterior layer of renal fascia has been cut and elevated to reveal the underlying fatty capsule of the kidney.
Renal fascia (anterior layer, cut and elevated)
Peritoneum (partially elevated)
Kidney (covered by renal capsule)
Fat capsule
Common iliac artery
Inferior vena cava
Esophagus
Upper pointer: Celiac trunk Lower pointer: Superior mesenteric artery
Diaphragm
Left pointer: Left suprarenal vein Right pointer: Left suprarenal gland (covered by fascia)
Anterior layer of renal fascia (opened and elevated)
Line of reflection of phrenicosplenic ligament
Left kidney (covered by adipose capsule)
Left renal vein
Abdominal aorta
Left pointer: Right testicular artery Right pointer: Inferior mesenteric artery