Ectopic ureter
Encyclopedia
Ectopic ureter is a medical condition where the ureter
, rather than terminating at the urinary bladder
, terminates at a different site. In males this site is usually the urethra
, in females this is usually the urethra
or vagina
. It can be associated with renal dysplasia, frequent urinary tract infections, and urinary incontinence
(usually continuous drip incontinence). Ectopic ureters are found in 1 of every 2000–4000 patients, and can be difficult to diagnose, but are most often seen on CT scans.
Ectopic ureter is commonly a result of a duplicated renal collecting system
, a duplex kidney with 2 ureters. In this case, usually one ureter drains correctly to the bladder, with the duplicated ureter presenting as ectopic.
Ureter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
, rather than terminating at the urinary bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
, terminates at a different site. In males this site is usually the urethra
Urethra
In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids out of the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine...
, in females this is usually the urethra
Urethra
In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids out of the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine...
or vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
. It can be associated with renal dysplasia, frequent urinary tract infections, and urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life. Urinary incontinence almost always results from an underlying treatable medical condition but is under-reported to medical practitioners...
(usually continuous drip incontinence). Ectopic ureters are found in 1 of every 2000–4000 patients, and can be difficult to diagnose, but are most often seen on CT scans.
Ectopic ureter is commonly a result of a duplicated renal collecting system
Duplicated ureter
Duplicated ureter is a congenital condition in which the ureteric bud, the embryological origin of the ureter, splits , resulting in two ureters draining a single kidney. It is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population...
, a duplex kidney with 2 ureters. In this case, usually one ureter drains correctly to the bladder, with the duplicated ureter presenting as ectopic.