Renal sinus
The renal sinus is a fat-filled compartment of the kidney.
Gross anatomy
The renal sinus is a fatty compartment located within the medial aspect of the kidney. It communicates with the perinephric space. It contains the renal hilum and is bordered by renal parenchyma laterally.
Contents
- renal artery and vein (major branches)
- major and minor calyces
- adipose tissue (main component)
- increases with age and obesity
- lymphatic channels
- autonomic nerves
- fibrous tissue (variable amount)
Variant anatomy
- junctional parenchymal defects - allow connection of fat in the renal sinus with intraparenchymal fat; may present as a renal pseudotumor
- hypertrophied column of Bertin - normal renal cortex projecting into the renal sinus; can present as a renal pseudotumor
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
- appears hyperechoic compared to the renal parenchyma, contains blood vessels
Related pathology
