MHS 215 Ureter

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Ureter

The ureter (, ) transports urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urothelium (transitional epithelium) (, ) - lines the interior of the ureter and is impermeable to water and ions.
- Three to ten layers of cells.
- - the top layer of cells which changes in size and shape depending on the distention of the ureter. (Some cells are binucleate.)
Lamina Propria (, ) - dense fibro-elastic connective tissue that supports the urothelium.
Muscularis Propria (muscularis externa) (, ) - contractions pump urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
- Described as two layers (inner longitudinal and outer circular) in the proximal ureter or three layers (inner longitudinal, middle circular, and outer longitudinal) as the ureter approaches the bladder. Elsewhere the orientation of the muscle may be less clear.
- These layers may be interlaced and not orthogonal reflecting the spiral orientation of some of the smooth muscle.
Adventitia (, ) - ureter is covered with loose connective tissue, fat, blood vessels, and nerves.