alleryStart learning →Why does the right kidney sit slightly lower than the left?
AIt is smaller than the left kidney
BIt is pushed down by the spleen
CIt sits behind the descending aorta
DIt is displaced downward by the liver
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It is displaced downward by the liver
1. The left kidney lies at about the T12 to L3 vertebral levels.
2. The right kidney sits lower than that.
3. The reason is slight downward displacement by the liver, which occupies the space above it.
4. Size is not the explanation, since the difference in position comes from the neighbouring organ.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 25 "The Urinary System", section 25.3 Gross Anatomy of the Kidney_
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