Location of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones usually are formed inside the kidney (see part 2 in the illustration below) located just below the rib cage near the middle of the back with one on either side of the spine, but they are sometimes found in the bladder (5) or ureter (4). The intense pain associated with kidney stones usually occurs during the period of time that the stone is being slowly moved along the small ureter (4) between the kidney (2) and the bladder (5).

Illustration courtesy of Dr. Jordi March i Nogué

1. Urinary system (parts 2-6)
2. Kidney
3. Renal pelvis
4. Ureter
5. Urinary bladder
6. Urethra (Left side with frontal section)
7. Adrenal gland
8. Renal artery and vein
9. Inferior vena cava
10. Abdominal aorta
11. Common iliac artery and vein
12. Liver
13. Large intestine
14. Pelvis

Who Gets
Kidney Stones

Causes
of Kidney Stones