Ureter – Tutorial

Please read Unit 11 – Introduction to Urinary System Tissues prior to completing the activities in this chapter.

Introduction to the Ureters

The ureters are a pair of tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.  The ureters originate at their superior connection with the renal pelvis at the hilum of the kidney and extend retroperitoneally to their connection with the posterior wall of the urinary bladder in the inferior abdominopelvic cavity.

The lumen of the ureters is lined with transitional epithelium.  Transitional refers to the fact that the shape of cells near the apical surface changes or transitions from plump when the lumen is empty to a more flattened shape when urine passes through the lumen and the walls of the ureter distend (stretch).  Transitional epithelium is well adapted to lining the urinary tract as it can tolerate repeated cycles of stretching and recoiling (filling and emptying with urine) without damage.  The superficial cells near the apical surface of transitional epithelium also protect deeper layers of the ureter wall from the harmful effects of concentrated (hyperosmotic) urine.  The muscularis layer of the ureter wall contains circular and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle.  Outside the muscularis is a connective tissue adventitia that firmly attaches the ureter to surrounding retroperitoneal tissue.

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to learn more about the structure and characteristics of the ureters. 

Microscopy:  Use the image slider below to learn how to use a microscope to study the ureters on a microscope slide.

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the structure and function of the ureters.  

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the characteristics of transitional epithelium lining the ureters. 

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to study numerous examples of tissue from the ureters.