The kidneys are surrounded by various structures and organs. Some of these structures contact the kidneys directly, while others are separated from them by the peritoneum. Also, some aspects of the kidneys are related to different structures, as the organs on the right and left sides of the abdomen are different.

The anterior surface of the right kidney is related to the following structures:

• Right suprarenal (adrenal) gland (Read more!) - covers a small part of the anterior aspect of the superior pole;
• Liver (Read more!) - connects with a relatively large anterior area of the right kidney;
• Descending part of the duodenum (Read more!) - contacts the central portion of the anterior surface medially (close to the hilum);
• Right colic (hepatic) flexure/colon (Read more!) - covers the anterior aspect of the inferior pole more on the lateral side;
• Jejunum (Read more!) - contacts a small portion of the anterior surface of the inferior pole.

The anterior surface of the left kidney connects with the following organs:

• Left suprarenal (adrenal) gland (Read more!) - covers a small anterior aspect of the superior pole on its medial side;
• Stomach - connects with the upper anterior aspect of the left kidney;
• Spleen (Read more!) - contacts with the anterior aspect of the left kidney on its lateral side;
• Pancreas (Read more!) - covers more or less the middle portion of the anterior surface;
• Descending colon (Read more!) - connects with the lower aspect of the anterior surface on its lateral side;
• Jejunum (Read more!) - covers the inferior pole.

Posteriorly, the right and left kidneys are related to similar structures on both sides. Superiorly, the upper third of each kidney connects with the diaphragm (Read more!). Inferiorly, they come in contact with three posterior and anterolateral abdominal wall muscles (psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and transversus abdominis).

Overall, the psoas major connects with the medial third of the lower aspect of the posterior surface of the kidney. The quadratus lumborum comes in contact with the middle third of the lower aspect of the posterior surface, and finally, the transversus abdominis covers the lateral third of the lower aspect of the posterior surface.

Also, posterior to the kidneys go the following neurovascular structures - subcostal arteries, subcostal nerves, iliohypogastric nerves, and ilioinguinal nerves. Additionally, the superior pole of the right kidney is located anterior to the 12th rib (Read more!), while the superior pole of the left kidney is positioned anterior to the 11th and 12th ribs (Read more!).

Superiorly, the suprarenal (adrenal) glands sit on the top (superior pole) of each kidney. The left adrenal gland is oriented more medially, while the right gland sits more apically.

Note: The stomach has been removed to provide a clearer view of the kidneys.