Urinary reflux stages
Urinary reflux is graded 1 to 5. Grade 1 is the mildest form and grade 5 is the most severe.
Normal urinary tract
This illustration shows the normal flow of urine through the urinary tract.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The illustration shows two healthy kidneys connected to the bladder by the ureters. A grey arrow indicates the normal downward flow of urine into the bladder and out through the urethra. The kidney structures (calyces) appear normal.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, calyces, ureter, bladder and urethra.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz
Grade 1 urinary reflux
This illustration shows grade 1 urinary reflux, where urine refluxes part-way up the ureter.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The diagram shows both kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. A grey arrow shows urine refluxing from the bladder partway up one ureter. The kidneys and calyces look normal. Label: Urine refluxes partway up the ureter.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, calyces, ureter, bladder and urethra.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz.
Grade 2 urinary reflux
This illustration shows grade 2 urinary reflux, where urine refluxes all the way up the ureter.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The diagram shows urine refluxing from the bladder up the entire length of the ureter into the kidney. A grey arrow shows the upward flow. The kidney and calyces still appear normal. Label: Urine refluxes all the way up the ureter.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, ureter and bladder.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz.
Grade 3 urinary reflux
This illustration shows grade 3 urinary reflux. Urine refluxes all the way up the ureter with some widening of the ureter and the part of the kidney where urine collects (calyces).
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The diagram shows urine refluxing from the bladder up the ureter into the kidney. Both the ureter and calyces are visibly widened. Labels:
- Widening of the ureter
- Urine refluxes all the way up the ureter
- Widening of the calyces.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, calyces, ureter and bladder.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz
Grade 4 urinary reflux
This illustration shows grade 4 urinary reflux. Urine refluxes all the way up the ureter with a marked widening of the ureter and the part of the kidney where urine collects.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The diagram shows urine refluxing up the ureter into the kidney. The ureter and calyces are markedly widened. Labels:
- Marked widening of calyces
- More urine refluxes all the way up the ureter
- Marked widening of the ureter.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, calyces, ureter and bladder.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz.
Grade 5 urinary reflux
This illustration shows grade 5 urinary reflux with reflux of large amounts of urine up the ureter. There is marked twisting and widening of the ureter and the part of the kidney where urine collects.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The diagram shows urine refluxing from the bladder up a severely twisted and widened ureter into the kidney. The calyces are markedly widened. Labels:
- Marked widening of calyces
- Large amounts of urine reflux all the way up the ureter
- Marked twisting and widening of the ureter.
Parts of the urinary tract are labelled: kidney, calyces, ureter and bladder.
At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz.
Acknowledgements
Illustrations of normal kidneys, ureter and bladder and grades 1 to 5 reflux by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
