The document describes the retroperitoneal space and structures contained within it. The retroperitoneal space lies between the peritoneum and posterior abdominal wall from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor. It contains various organs like the kidneys, ureters, parts of the colon, pancreas and more. The space is further divided into the anterior pararenal space, perirenal space, and posterior pararenal space by fascial planes. The document outlines the boundaries and structures of the retroperitoneal space.

2. Retroperitoneal space:
 between the peritoneum and the posterior
parietal wall of the abdominal cavity
 from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor

3.  Superiorly- 12th thoracic vertebra, lateral
lumbocostal arch and diaphragm
 Inferiorly- base of the sacrum, iliac crest,
and iliolumbar ligament, pelvic levator
muscles.
 Anteriorly- posterior parietal peritoneum
 Posteriorly- fascia overlying the quadratus
lumborum and the psoas major muscles,
vertebral column, tendinous portion of
tranverse abdominis.

5.  Urinary: adrenal glands
kidneys
ureter
 Cirulatory: abdominal aorta
inferior vena cava
 Digestive: oesophagus (thoracic part)
rectum (part of middle third and
lower third)
pancreas(head, neck and body)
duodenum (except the first part)
ascending and descending colon

6.  Suprarenal (adrenal) glands
 Aorta/IVC
 Duodenum
 Pancreas
 Ureters
 Colon
 Kidneys
 Esophagus
 Rectum

7.  It is divided into three spaces by the
anterior renal fascia (Gerotas’s) and
posterior renal fascia (Zuckerkandl) fascia
 The three spaces are:
Anterior pararenal space
Perirenal space
Posterior pararenal space

11.  Superior – to bare area of liver and is
contiguous with the mediastinum
 Medial – at the level of renal hilum
 Lateral – Anterior renal fascia and posterior
renal fascia fuse to form lateral conal plane
 Inferior – ARF and PRF fuse around 8cm
below kidney

12.  Retromesentric plane
 Retrorenal plane
 Lateral conal plane

13.  between anterior pararenal and perirenal
spaces contigous across the midline and
laterally with the retrorenal and lateral
conal space

14.  between the perirenal and posterior
pararenal space

15.  Combined fascial plane that continous into
pelvis anterolateral to psoas muscle
 Allows pathway to pelvis
 Trifurcation of 3 planes