DEVELOPMENT

OF
URINARY SYSTEM-
KIDNEY

Dr.B.B.Gosai
Professor in Anatomy
Ojvensha e-learning resources
 Learning Objectives:
• Development of Pronephros, Mesonephros
and Metanephros.
• Formation of Definitive Kidney from the
Metanephros.
• Formation of Collecting part and Excretory
parts of the Kidney.
• Change of the position of kidney-Ascent of
Kidney.
• Clinical conditions like Renal dyplasia, Renal
agenesis, Congenital Polycyctic Kidney, Pelvic
Kidney, Horseshoe Kidney and Renal
Accessory Arteries.
 References:
• Langman’s Medical Embryology by
T.W.Sadler

• Other reference text book:

• Keith Moore’s Developing Human
 Stages of Development of the kidney:

• Human kidney is developed from intermediate

mesoderm and passes through 3 stages :
1- Pronephros
2- Mesonephros
3- Metanephros
 PRONEPHROS
• Appears at 4th week. In cervical region, cranial
part of intermediate mesoderm is segmented
into 7 nephrotomes which become cavitated to
form 7 pronephric tubules.
• Each tubule has 2 ends: 1- lateral ends: join to
form pronephric duct. 2- medial ends: join the
coelomic cavity.
• Lower end of pronephric ducts join the cloaca.
• Pronephric tubules and proximal part of its duct
degenerate Leaving caudal part of the duct as
mesonephric duct.
 MESONEPHROS
• It appears at the 6th week as 2 bulges on
posterior abdominal wall forming ovoid
mesonephric ridges.
• It is middle part of the intermediate mesoderm
that lies in thoracic and upper lumbar region.
• It is divided into segments which become
canalised to form mesonephric tubules.
• Medial ends form internal glomeruli while
lateral ends join mesonephric duct which open
in primitive urogenital sinus.
 Fate of Mesonephros
• 1- Tubules:
– Males: form vasa efferentia.
– Females: form epoophoron and paroophoron.
2- Duct:
- Males: Epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle,
ejaculatory duct, ureter and trigone of urinary
bladder.
- Females: Duct of epoophoron, ureter and trigone
of urinary bladder.

At the 8th week most of mesonephric tubules

degenerate.
 KIDNEY
Metanephros: (Excretory Part)
• It is caudal part of intermediate mesoderm in
the pelvic cavity. It forms metanephric cap –
Metanephric mesoderm (blastema) which
divides into small masses following divisions of
the ureteric bud. Each mass is called renal
vesicles.
• Each vesicle will form Bowman’s capsule,
proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle and
distal convoluted tubules.
 KIDNEY
Ureteric Bud: (Collecting Part)
• It is outgrowth of the Mesonephric duct.
• Each ureteric bud dilates to form ureter, renal
pelvis, Major and Minor calyces and 1 million to
3 million collecting tubules.
 URETER
• It arises from dorsum of mesonephric duct as ureteric
bud.
• It elongates dorso-cranially to be in contact with
metanephros which will form the metanephric cap.
• Upper end of the ureter divides to form 2 – 3 major
calyces, which further divides into many minor calyces
which divide into collecting tubules.
• Each collecting tubules will be covered with a piece of
the metanephric cap which form renal vesicles which
forms rest of the nephron except the collecting
tubules which is developed from dividing ureteric bud.
• Collecting tubules communicate with the rest of the
nephron.
 Changes of external features of
developing kidney:
• Ascend of the kidney: It ascends from
pelvic cavity to its adult site in the lumbar
region on posterior abdominal wall. This is
done by dorso-cranial elongation of the
ureter pushing the kidney.
• Change of blood supply: during ascend.
• Loss of fetal lobulation: surface of the
kidney becomes smooth.
• Change of direction of hilum: from
anterior to medial.
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES
A- KIDNEY
• Renal agenesis: Unilateral or bilateral.
• Congenital polycystic kidney: due to failure of
communication between collecting tubules and rest of
the nephron.
• Horse shoe kidney: due to fusion between lower
ends of both kidneys. Ascent is arrested at level of L3
vertebra.
• Pelvic kidney: due to failure of ascend.
• Ectopic kidney: abnormal site of the kidney.
• Aberrant renal artery: additional artery that
supplying the kidney.
• Persistence of fetal lobulation: surface of the
kidney shows lobulations.
Unilateral Pelvic Kidney Horse-shoe kidney
Lobulated Kidney
Horse-shoe kidney
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES
B- Ureter
• Bifid ureter: Splitting of the upper part
of the ureter.
• Double ureter: Two separate ureters
due to formation of 2 ureteric buds.
 Ectopic Ureteral
Openings

Complete or Partial Double Ureter

Complete Double Ureter
……Thanks……