Utilising the posterior approach to a surgical procedure on the kidney, the surgeon will find that
True / False
1. The perirenal fat is exterior to the renal fascia (of Gerota)
2. The peritoneum needs to be opened
3. The pleura reaches below the level of the 12th rib
4. The renal artery is posterior to the renal vein
5. The subcostal nerve is anterior to the kidney
Answer:
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
The renal artery is posterior to the renal vein. The kidney is retroperitoneal and the perirenal fat is enclosed in the renal fascia. The pleura reaches to the line of the lateral arcuate ligament from under which the subcostal nerve emerges, posterior to the kidneys.