Right ureter

Ureter

UrinaryOrgansWhole bodyRight side

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What it is

Muscular tube that carries urine from the renal pelvis down along the front of psoas major, crosses the pelvic brim at the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, runs down the pelvic side wall and pierces the bladder base obliquely.

Function

Moves urine to the bladder by peristaltic waves (1–5 per minute); its oblique course through the bladder wall acts as a one-way valve against reflux.

Size

25–30 cm long, 3–5 mm in diameter.

Clinical note

In men the vas deferens crosses above it near the bladder; in women the uterine artery passes over it beside the cervix ("water under the bridge").