Abdomen Sonography: Lower Urinary Tract - Video Lesson

Hey everyone, welcome back to our ultrasound series which will now focus on the lower urinary tract. We'll cover the anatomy and function of the ureters and urinary bladder, identify normal locations, the surrounding structures, and review the physiologic role of the lower urinary system. Finally, we'll describe the normal sonographic appearance of the bladder and familiarize you with the common lab tests for urinary health. Let's get started. The lower urinary tract consists of the ureters, which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and the urinary bladder, which stores and expels urine. Ureters are narrow muscular tubes about twenty five to thirty centimeters long. Each ureter arises from the renal pelvis, descends retroperitoneally, and enters the posterior wall of the bladder at an oblique angle. This angled insertion acts as a valve mechanism to prevent backflow during bladder contraction. The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular organ