Detailed caliceal anatomy for endourology.

A thorough understanding of caliceal anatomy is required to interpret excretory urograms and to perform safely endourological manipulations. Caliceal angles, posterior rotation of the lateral renal margin and caliceal placement in relation to the lateral aspect of the body were studied in 26 right and 24 left kidneys. Differences between kidneys found to be Brödel's types from those of the Hodson type, and the significance of these findings for performing nephrostolithotomy are described.