The ureterovesical junction is where the ureter tunnels obliquely through the bladder wall to open at the ureteric orifice on the trigone. This oblique path, about 1.5-2 cm long, acts as a one-way valve. As the bladder fills and its pressure rises, the tunnel is squeezed shut and urine cannot flow back to the kidney.
| Location | In the posterolateral wall of the urinary bladder, ending at the lateral angles of the trigone |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Inferior hypogastric plexus |
| Blood Supply | Superior and inferior vesical arteries; Uterine artery branches (female) |
| Venous drainage | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Allows urine into the bladder while preventing reflux back toward the kidney.
It is the narrowest part of the ureter and the most common place for a passing stone to get stuck, often causing urgency and frequency as well as pain. A short intramural tunnel in children allows urine to reflux into the ureter and kidney, raising the risk of kidney infection and scarring. A ureterocele is a balloon-like swelling of the end of the ureter at this junction.
Backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureter because of a weak valve mechanism, predisposing children to recurrent kidney infections.
A cyst-like dilation of the terminal ureter within the bladder wall that can obstruct urine flow.
A stone lodged at the junction, causing pain that can radiate to the groin, testis or labia along with bladder irritation.
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