Editing Renal capsule (section)

{{Short description|Layer surrounding kidney}}
{{Distinguish|glomerular capsule}}
{{Infobox anatomy
 |name = Renal capsule
 |Latin = capsula fibrosa renis
 |image = Blausen 0592 KidneyAnatomy 01.png
 |caption = The '''kidney capsule''' surrounds both kidneys, and is labelled at the bottom right.
 |image2 = Gray1126.png
 |caption2 = Cross-section, showing the positioning of the kidney capsule
}}
[[File:3D Medical Animation depicting Kidney Layers.jpg|alt=Different layers of kidney depicted in a 3D Medical Illustration|thumb|260x260px|Different layers of kidney depicted in a 3D medical Illustration]]
The '''renal capsule''' is a tough fibrous layer surrounding the [[kidney]] and covered in a layer of perirenal fat known as the [[adipose capsule of kidney]]. The adipose capsule is sometimes included in the structure of the renal capsule. It provides some protection from trauma and damage. The renal capsule is surrounded by the [[renal fascia]]. Overlying the renal fascia and between this and the [[transverse fascia]] is a region of [[pararenal fat]].<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Squire L |title = Fundamental neuroscience |edition = 4th |year = 2013 |publisher = Elsevier/Academic Press |location = Amsterdam |isbn = 978-0-12-385870-2 |page = 315}}</ref>

The renal capsule resists stretching, limiting renal swelling, with important implications for renal circulation.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Human physiology |date= |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-443-04559-2 |editor-last=Davies |editor-first=Andrew |location=Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone |pages=717 |editor-last2=Blakeley |editor-first2=Asa G. H. |editor-last3=Kidd |editor-first3=Cecil}}</ref> Stretching of the renal capsule due to swelling of the kidney causes flank pain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flank Pain - Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders |url=https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/symptoms-of-kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/flank-pain |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=MSD Manual Consumer Version |language=en}}</ref>