2. Male pelvis intravenous urogram, (IVU) tilted AP projection

For an image from an IVU demonstrating the entire urinary collecting system refer to Unit V, Radiologic Anatomy of the Abdomen, Image #3.

The present image was obtained 20 minutes after the injection of (intravenous) contrast into a peripheral vein, and the path of the X-ray beam is tilted off the horizontal to better display the course of the distal ureters.

Each ureter is retroperitoneal and crosses the pelvic brim over the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. It continues its descent into the lesser pelvis, and at the level of the ischial spine turns medially and anteriorly to enter the base of the bladder. Its course through the bladder wall is oblique; it opens into the bladder lumen more inferiorly, at the upper border of the trigone.