The importance of the fat deposits and the surrounding fascia to kidneys is that they have a protective function. There is two layers of fat around kidney: the pararenal fat which is superficial to the fascia and the perirenal fat, or adipose capsule of the kidney which is below the fascia and superficial to the renal capsule. Adipose tissue acts as protective padding which means it protects kidneys from external force and from moving around in the abdominal cavity.
