Gerota’s fascia (anterior renal fascia) is thin connective tissue (collagen) that surrounds your kidneys and adrenal glands. This tissue joins with posterior renal fascia to separate your kidneys from your other organs. Kidney cancer and pockets of pus (abscesses) can affect Gerota’s fascia. CT scans and kidney function tests help with diagnosis.
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Gerota’s fascia is a sheath of connective tissue that surrounds your kidneys and adrenal glands.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Gerota’s fascia contains your kidneys, your adrenal glands and the natural fat around your kidneys, also known as perinephric fat.
Gerota’s fascia encloses your kidneys and adrenal glands. It separates your kidneys from your body’s other organs so your kidneys can work properly.
Your kidneys filter your blood. They also remove waste from your body and excess water from your blood. Your body removes these products as pee (urine). Your kidneys also:
Your adrenal glands are separate structures that make hormones that contribute to the regulation of your:
Gerota’s fascia surrounds your kidneys and adrenal glands. It separates these structures from your:
Connective tissue (collagen) makes up Gerota’s fascia. This connective tissue is very thin but still rather strong.
Gerota’s fascia fuses on three sides of your kidneys:
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Conditions that may affect your Gerota’s fascia include:
Common tests to check the health or status of Gerota’s fascia include:
Healthcare providers evaluate Gerota’s fascia to help diagnose or stage other conditions that may affect your kidneys. These include:
You can reduce your risk of developing a problem with your Gerota’s fascia by:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Gerota’s fascia is a connective tissue (collagen) sheath surrounding your kidneys and adrenal glands. Gerota’s fascia works together with posterior renal fascia (Zuckerkandl’s fascia) to enclose your kidneys. These connective tissues separate your kidneys from other organs. This helps your kidneys filter blood and remove waste. Kidney cancer and perinephric abscesses can affect Gerota’s fascia. Providers also run tests such as CT scans and ultrasounds to evaluate Gerota’s fascia to help diagnose tumors and kidney stones. Simple lifestyle changes can help keep your Gerota’s fascia and kidneys healthy.
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Last reviewed on 07/15/2022.
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