The right kidney is lower because the liver pushes it down.

Sympathetics from the least lumbar nerve (preganglionic fibers from spinal cord segment T12) which synapse in the aorticorenal ganglion

When it is at the level of the renal pelvis, the patient will feel it in their flank (lower back and side) however when it moves down the ureter the pain will move down into the groin.

Blood from the capillary beds of the digestive organs drains into the inferior mesenteric, superior mesenteric, gastric and splenic veins which form the portal vein. This blood then goes through capillary beds in the liver, where nutrients and toxins are absorbed, excreted or converted.

Name four places where the portal system anastomoses with the systemic system

1)      Esophageal and azygos veins

2)       paraumbilical and thoraco epigastric veins

3)       superior rectal and inferior/medial rectal veins and

4)       retroperitoneal veins and lumbar veins

Esophageal varices, caput medusae,  and hemorrhoids