Renal artery
1451000
216787102
2008-06-03T05:44:50Z
Da monster under your bed
2040962
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/222.154.164.53|222.154.164.53]] ([[User talk:222.154.164.53|talk]]) to last version by 136.159.169.6
{{Infobox Artery
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Latin = arteria renalis
| GraySubject = 154
| GrayPage = 610
| Image = Kidneys_from_behind.jpg
| Caption = Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed
| Image2 = Kidney PioM.png
| Caption2 = <table><tr><td align=left><small>1. [[Renal pyramid]]<BR>2. [[Efferent artery]]<br>3. [[Renal artery|'''Renal artery''']]<br>4. [[Renal vein]]<br>5. [[Hilum of kidney|Renal hilum]]<br>6. [[Renal pelvis]]<BR>7. [[Ureter]]<BR>8. [[Minor calyx]]<BR>9. [[Renal capsule]]</small></td><td align=left><small>10. [[Inferior renal capsule]]<BR>11. [[Superior renal capsule|Superior renal<br> capsule]]<BR>12. [[Afferent vein]]<BR>13. [[Nephron]]<BR>14. [[Minor calyx]]<BR>15. [[Major calyx]]<BR>16. [[Renal papilla]]<BR>17. [[Renal column]]</small></td></tr></table>
| BranchFrom = [[abdominal aorta]]
| BranchTo = [[inferior suprarenal artery]], [[segmental arteries of kidney|segmental arteries]]
| Vein = [[renal vein]]
| Supplies = [[kidney]]s
| MeshName = Renal+Artery
| MeshNumber = A07.231.114.745
| DorlandsPre = a_61
| DorlandsSuf = 12155727
}}
The '''renal arteries''' normally arise off the side of the [[abdominal aorta]], immediately below the [[superior mesenteric artery]], and supply the [[kidney]]s with [[blood]]. Each is directed across the [[crus of the diaphragm]], so as to form nearly a right angle with the aorta.
The renal arteries carry a large portion of total blood flow to the kidneys. Up to a third of total cardiac output can pass through the renal arteries to be filtered by the kidneys.
The arterial supply of the kidneys is variable and there may be one or more renal arteries supplying each kidney. It is located above the renal vein.
==Asymmetries before reaching kidney==
Due to the position of the aorta, the [[inferior vena cava]] and the kidneys in the body, the right renal artery is normally longer than the left renal artery.
* The right passes behind the [[inferior vena cava]], the right [[renal vein]], the [[head of the pancreas]], and the descending part of the [[duodenum]].
* The left is somewhat higher than the right; it lies behind the left renal vein, the [[body of the pancreas]] and the [[lienal vein]], and is crossed by the [[inferior mesenteric vein]].
==At kidney==
Before reaching the [[hilus]] of the kidney, each artery divides into four or five branches; the greater number of these (anterior branches) lie between the renal vein and [[ureter]], the vein being in front, the ureter behind, but one or more branches (posterior branches) are usually situated behind the ureter.
Each vessel gives off some small [[inferior suprarenal branches]] to the [[suprarenal gland]], the [[ureter]], and the surrounding cellular tissue and muscles.
One or two accessory renal arteries are frequently found, more especially on the left side they usually arise from the aorta, and may come off above or below the main artery, the former being the more common position. Instead of entering the kidney at the hilus, they usually pierce the upper or lower part of the gland.
==Diseases of the renal arteries==
[[Renal artery stenosis]], or narrowing of one or both renal arteries will lead to hypertension as the affected kidneys release [[renin]] to increase blood pressure to preserve perfusion to the kidneys. RAS is diagnosed with an MRA (magnet-resonance scan) of abdomen. It is treated with the use of balloon angioplasty and stents, if necessary.
[[Atherosclerosis]] can also affect the renal arteries and can lead to poor perfusion of the kidneys leading to reduced kidney function and, possibly, [[renal failure]].
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Illu kidney2.jpg|Frontal section through the kidney
Image:Gray847.png|Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses.
Image:Gray1123.png|The posterior surfaces of the kidneys, showing areas of relation to the parietes.
</gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Gray1227.png|Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.
Image:Njuren.gif|Kidney
</gallery>
==External links==
* {{MedlinePlusImage|9818}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|11|01|05}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Branches of the Abdominal Aorta"
{{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}}
{{kidney}}
{{circulatory-stub}}
[[Category:Abdomen]]
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Kidney]]
[[de:Arteria renalis]]
[[fr:Artère rénale]]
[[ja:腎動脈]]
[[fi:Munuaisvaltimo]]
[[la:Arteria renalis]]
[[pt:Artéria renal]]