Common Sites Where Kidney Stones Are Located

Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary system. Although these crystals are small, they can create intense pain as they move along the urinary tract. Kidney stones are found in three main locations in the urinary system.

Identification

• A kidney stone is a solid crystal that develops when the body's components of urine are unbalanced. When the urine contains more minerals than it can dilute, small crystals will form inside the kidney.

Kidneys

• Kidney stones are most commonly found in the kidneys. The kidneys are two small organs located behind the ribs; they are mainly responsible for removing water and wastes from the blood and producing urine.

Ureter

• Kidney stones may also be located in the ureter, which are small tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The intense pain associated with kidney stones typically occurs when the stone is traveling through the ureter.

Bladder

• The kidney stones will occasionally travel all the way through the ureter to the bladder. The bladder is responsible for storing urine before it is excreted from the body. Once the kidney stones reach this location, their next step is to be excreted with the urine.

Treatment

• Small kidney stones are simply excreted from the body with the urine. If this is not possible, more advanced medical treatments are available. Shock waves may be used to break the stones into smaller pieces. If this does not work, your doctor will need to physically remove the stones.