The Ureters

• Run from the pelvis, posterior to the vessels at the level of the transverse process of L2 –L5.
  
  
• It is retroperitoneal throughout and has important relations.
  
  
• Anterior to psoas major muscles and the common iliac vessels.
  
  
• Posterior to the colic vessels and the mesenteric vessels in the mesentery.
  
  
• It is first lateral, then medial to the gonadal vessels, all the time posteriorly (the gonadal vessels cross it from medial to lateral, anteriorly)
  
  
• The right ureter is in close relationship to the IVC (on the right, the lumbar lymph nodes and the sympathetic trunk.

A longitudinal anastomosis contributed to by branches of

• renal
• aorta
• Common iliac
• Vescical
• Uterine

Others may be

• Gonadal
• Internal iliac
• Mesenteric vessels

The veins correspond.

Superior part :lateral aortic

Middle part : common iliac nodes

Inferior part : common, external or internal iliac nodes.

Same as the kidneys