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ureter
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ureter The Human Body uterus Right and left kidney. Diagram of the human excretory system showing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, with their anatomical positions highlighted inside a human silhouette. Diagram of the female renal system showing kidneys, adrenal glands, and urinary tract organs in their anatomical positions, with labels for major structures including blood vessels, bladder, and uterus.
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Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)
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Muscles of facial expression, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC). Human face, human head.
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ureter
ureter Cross section of a human ureter as seen through a microscope.

ureter

anatomy
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History

ureter, duct that transmits urine from the kidney to the bladder. There normally is one ureter for each kidney. Each ureter is a narrow tube that is about 12 inches (30 cm) long. A ureter has thick contractile walls, and its diameter varies considerably at different points along its length. The tube emerges from each kidney, descends behind the abdominal cavity, and opens into the bladder. At its termination the ureter passes through the bladder wall in such a way that, as the bladder fills with urine, this terminal part of the ureter tends to close.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Rick Livingston.