Perirenal space

Last revised by Yuranga Weerakkody on 21 Sep 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Jones J, Weerakkody Y, Al Kabbani A, et al. Perirenal space. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Nov 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6057

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6057

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/6057

rID:

6057

Article created:

14 Apr 2009, Jeremy Jones ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Jeremy Jones had no recorded disclosures.

View Jeremy Jones's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Sep 2021, Yuranga Weerakkody ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.

View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures

Revisions:

12 times, by 8 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gastrointestinal, Urogenital

Sections:

Anatomy

Synonyms:

Perinephric space

The perirenal space is the largest of the three divisions of the retroperitoneum and is the most easily identified. It contains the kidneys, renal vessels, proximal collecting systems, adrenal glands and an adequate amount of fat to allow identification on CT scanning. It also contains the perinephric bridging septa of Kunin ⁵.

The space is surrounded by the perirenal fascia and is in continuity with the opposite perirenal space across the midline. It abuts the bare area of the liver on the right and the subphrenic space on the left; there is mediastinal communication via the various diaphragmatic hiatus.

In disease, the space is usually closed inferiorly, preventing pelvic spread.