A System of Practical Medicine. By American Authors. Vol. 4

A System of Practical Medicine. By American Authors. Vol. 4 - Diseases of the Genito-Urinary and Cutaneous Systems.—Medical Ophthalmology, and Otology

The kidneys are two glandular organs, of a concavo-convex shape so characteristic as to be frequently used as a term of comparison, situated on each side of the vertebral column, with the longer diameters nearly parallel thereto, but slightly convergent toward the upper extremity, and extending from about the upper border of the eleventh rib on the left side and the middle of the corresponding rib on the right to the second or third lumbar vertebra. Hence they are somewhat less than half covered by the last two ribs. The upper extremity is a little the wider and the thinner, and by this peculiarity and a recollection of the position of the vessels (from the front, vein, artery, ureter) the two kidneys may be assigned to their proper sides after removal from the body. They are behind, and at their upper extremities nearly in contact with, the peritoneum, resting, with their more or less voluminous envelope of adipose tissue, upon the great muscles of the loins. The fat which in the normal condition surrounds the kidneys varies, as might be supposed, within wide limits, and is by no means devoid of importance, since its deficiency is undoubtedly a predisposing cause for some of the displacements hereafter to be described. In this fatty mass may also be situated perinephritic abscesses, and into it spread with considerable facility morbid growths originating in the kidney itself. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 62587
Author: Pepper, William
Release Date: Jul 8, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Pepper, William, 1843-1898 , Starr, Louis, 1849-1925