Corpus: Renal bed
1. Definition
The renal bed is a retroperitoneal space that surrounds the kidney. It is bordered anteriorly by the parietal peritoneum and posteriorly by the transverse fascia.
2. Anatomy
The renal bed consists of the following layers, from innermost to outermost:
- Fibrous capsule of the kidney
- Adipose capsule of the kidney
- Renal fascia
3. Clinic
Percussion of the renal bed is a standard part of the physical examination. The examiner taps on the patient's back using the edge of the hand, just below the last rib, to create a vibration in the deep tissue. If this elicits pain, it may indicate a pathological condition such as pyelonephritis. If no pain is detected, the findings are documented as "renal bed free".
However, the sensitivity of renal bed percussion is low, as it may not detect many kidney diseases.