2. Remove the pararenal fat from around the kidney, try to identify renal fascia.
In most cadavers, the kidney is invested in an outer layer of fat called the pararenal fat. Inside of this is a layer of fascia called the renal fascia. The renal fascia encloses the kidney and extends towards the midline. It may be hard to identify. It is a thin layer of fascia surrounding the kidney and lies between the kidney and the suprarenal gland. Inside the renal fascia is another layer of fat called the perirenal fat. After exposing the kidney, reflect it medially. Remove the pararenal fat lying posterior to the kidney. Posterior to the fat is the diaphragm and posterior abdominal wall. Next, review the relationship of the kidney to the ribs. The twelfth rib is outlined here. Here the eleventh rib is outlined. The twelfth rib and on the left, the eleventh rib, cross the kidney posteriorly in an oblique line.