Editing Kidneys (section)

== Gerota fascia (perirenal/renal fascia) ==

* Named after the Romanian anatomist Dimitrie D. Gerota (1867-1939)
* '''Encloses perinrenal space'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Closed superiorly and laterally, and open inferiorly</span>'''
** Superiorly, the Gerota fascia is continuous with the diaphragmatic fascia on the inferior surface of the diaphragm
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">The anterior and posterior laminae merge laterally to form the lateroconal fascia,</span> which functions to separate the anterior and posterior pararenal spaces.''' It can be visualized radiographically on computed tomographic (CT) scan and continues anterolaterally deep to the transversalis fascia.
***'''The lateroconal fascia then fuses with the peritoneum lateral to the colon to form the white line of Toldt.'''
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Clinical implication: Perinephric fluid collection can tract inferiorly into the pelvis without violating the Gerota fascia</span>'''
* '''Continues medially to fuse with the contralateral side'''
**'''Envelops the aorta and IVC'''
* '''Extends inferiomedially along the abdominal ureter as a periureteral fascia'''
* '''Surrounded by a layer of condensed fat called paranephric fat'''
* '''Must be opened to access the kidneys, adrenals, or abdominal ureters'''
** To access the kidneys transperitoneally, the colon needs to be mobilized from the white line of Toldt