| Renal capsule | |
|---|---|
 The kidney capsule surrounds both kidneys, and is labelled at the bottom right. | |
 Cross-section, showing the positioning of the kidney capsule | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | capsula fibrosa renis |
| FMA | 66610 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The renal capsule is a tough fibrous layer surrounding the kidney and covered in a layer of perirenal fat known as the adipose capsule of kidney. The adipose capsule is sometimes included in the structure of the renal capsule. It provides some protection from trauma and damage. The renal capsule is surrounded by the renal fascia. Overlying the renal fascia and between this and the transverse fascia is a region of pararenal fat.[1]
The renal capsule resists stretching, limiting renal swelling, with important implications for renal circulation.[2] Stretching of the renal capsule due to swelling of the kidney causes flank pain.[3]
- ^ Squire L (2013). Fundamental neuroscience (4th ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press. p. 315. ISBN 978-0-12-385870-2.
- ^ Davies, Andrew; Blakeley, Asa G. H.; Kidd, Cecil, eds. (2001). Human physiology. Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone. p. 717. ISBN 978-0-443-04559-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Flank Pain - Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders". MSD Manual Consumer Version. Retrieved 2024-02-29.