3. Remove perirenal fat to expose kidney and suprarenal gland and examine the parts and blood supply of both organs.
On the kidney, first observe the renal veins. These are the most anterior vessels and they drain into the inferior vena cava. The left renal vein passes across the aorta to empty into the inferior vena cava. Note that the inferior vena cava is lateral and to the right of the aorta. The inferior vena cava and the renal veins are more superficial than the aorta and the renal arteries. Note also that the left renal vein and right renal artery and longer than their counterparts due to the position of the inferior vena cava and aorta. The renal arteries arise from the aorta along the L2 level. They pass behind the renal veins and on the right, behind the inferior vena cava. The renal artery on the right side of this specimen is abnormal in that it is anterior to the vein. Arising from the hilum, below the arteries and the veins is the renal pelvis, a dilated portion of the collecting system that leads to the ureter. Notice also the right gonadal vein and gonadal artery. These arise from the inferior vena cava and aorta, respectively, at the level of the kidney because the gonads develop there.
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