Editing Renal capsule

{{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>

== Structure ==
The renal capsule surrounds the [[parenchyma|functional tissue]] of the kidney, and is itself surrounded by a fatty adipose capsule, fascia, and fat. From the inner part of the kidney to outside the kidney, the positioning of the capsule is:
# [[renal medulla]] 
# [[renal cortex]]
# renal capsule
# [[adipose capsule of kidney]] (or perirenal fat, or perinephric fat)
# [[renal fascia]]
# [[pararenal fat]]
# [[peritoneum]] (anteriorly), and [[transverse fascia]] (posteriorly).

Sometimes the adipose capsule of the kidney also known as the perirenal fat, is regarded as a part of the renal capsule.<ref>
{{cite journal | vauthors = Favre G, Grangeon-Chapon C, Raffaelli C, François-Chalmin F, Iannelli A, Esnault V | title = Perirenal fat thickness measured with computed tomography is a reliable estimate of perirenal fat mass | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 12 | issue = 4 | pages = e0175561 | date = 2017-04-19 | pmid = 28423008 | pmc = 5396915 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0175561 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2017PLoSO..1275561F }}
</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Renal medulla]]
* [[Renal pyramid]]
* [[Renal artery]]
* [[Renal vein]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{PSUAnatomy|urogen/dissectkidney2}}
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_29/29-5.HTM}}

{{kidney}}

[[Category:Kidney anatomy]]