Which statement best describes the left kidney's relation to the stomach and spleen?

Which statement best describes the left kidney's relation to the stomach and spleen?

• A. It lies anterior to the stomach.
• B. It is separated from the stomach by a fascia.
• C. It is separated from the stomach and spleen by peritoneum.
• D. It lies within the stomach's posterior wall.

Answer: (C)

The left kidney is a retroperitoneal organ, sitting behind the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. The stomach and spleen, on the other hand, are intraperitoneal organs located in the upper left quadrant. Because the peritoneum lines these organs and forms peritoneal reflections that connect them to surrounding structures, a layer of peritoneum sits between the left kidney and the stomach and spleen. The presence of peritoneal folds such as the splenorenal and gastrorenal ligaments exemplifies this separation. So, this relationship is best described as the left kidney being separated from the stomach and spleen by peritoneum.

The left kidney is a retroperitoneal organ, sitting behind the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. The stomach and spleen, on the other hand, are intraperitoneal organs located in the upper left quadrant. Because the peritoneum lines these organs and forms peritoneal reflections that connect them to surrounding structures, a layer of peritoneum sits between the left kidney and the stomach and spleen. The presence of peritoneal folds such as the splenorenal and gastrorenal ligaments exemplifies this separation. So, this relationship is best described as the left kidney being separated from the stomach and spleen by peritoneum.