Ureteral Disorders

Summary

Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder in two thin tubes called ureters.

The ureters are about 8 to 10 inches long. Muscles in the ureter walls tighten and relax to force urine down and away from the kidneys. Small amounts of urine flow from the ureters into the bladder about every 10 to 15 seconds.

Sometimes the ureters can become blocked or injured. This can block the flow of urine to the bladder. If urine stands still or backs up the ureter, you may get a urinary tract infections.

Doctors diagnose problems with the ureters using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays, and examination of the ureter with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Ureteral Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Ureteral Neoplasms National Institutes of Health

Genetics

• Congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Imaging of the Urinary Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) National Library of Medicine

Specifics

• General Information about Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter National Cancer Institute
• Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Children

• Hydronephrosis in Newborns National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
• Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Injury – kidney and ureter Medical Encyclopedia
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Ureteral reimplantation surgery – children Medical Encyclopedia
• Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
• Ureterocele Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Journal Articles

• Ureteral Disorders

Encyclopedia

• UPJ obstruction Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Urinary Tract and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases