Which statement is true about the peritoneal relationship of the left kidney?

Which statement is true about the peritoneal relationship of the left kidney?

• A. Peritoneum separates the left kidney from stomach, spleen, pancreas, and small intestine.
• B. The left kidney lies entirely within the peritoneal cavity.
• C. The left kidney has no peritoneal relations.
• D. The left kidney is anterior to the stomach.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the kidneys are retroperitoneal, meaning they sit behind the peritoneum and are separated from intraperitoneal organs by this lining. On the left side, the stomach and spleen lie anterior in the upper abdomen, with the pancreas and loops of small intestine also occupying the intraperitoneal space in front of the kidney. The peritoneum forms a barrier between these intraperitoneal structures and the kidney, so the anterior surface of the left kidney is separated from the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and small intestine by peritoneum. That makes this statement true. The other options are inaccurate because the left kidney is not entirely within the peritoneal cavity, it does have peritoneal relations, and it lies posterior to the stomach rather than anterior to it.

The key idea is that the kidneys are retroperitoneal, meaning they sit behind the peritoneum and are separated from intraperitoneal organs by this lining. On the left side, the stomach and spleen lie anterior in the upper abdomen, with the pancreas and loops of small intestine also occupying the intraperitoneal space in front of the kidney. The peritoneum forms a barrier between these intraperitoneal structures and the kidney, so the anterior surface of the left kidney is separated from the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and small intestine by peritoneum. That makes this statement true. The other options are inaccurate because the left kidney is not entirely within the peritoneal cavity, it does have peritoneal relations, and it lies posterior to the stomach rather than anterior to it.