Renal medulla 598336 222649887 2008-06-30T12:53:28Z Tjkinsey 7398122 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 253 | GrayPage = 1221 | Image = Illu kidney.jpg | Caption = 1: [[Parenchyma]]<BR>2: [[Renal cortex|Cortex]]<BR>3: Medulla<BR>4: [[Perirenal fat]]<BR>5: [[Renal capsule|Capsule]]<BR>6: [[Ureter]]<BR>7: [[Renal pelvis|Pelvis of kidney]]<BR>8: [[Renal artery]] and [[Renal vein]]<BR>9: [[Hilum of kidney|Hilus]]<BR>10: [[Calyx (kidney)|Calyx]] | Image2 = Gray1127.png | Caption2 = Vertical section of kidney. (Label "medullary sub." visible near top.) | System = | MeshName = Kidney+medulla | MeshNumber = A05.810.453.466 | DorlandsPre = | DorlandsSuf = | }} The '''renal medulla''' is the innermost part of the [[kidney]]. The renal medulla is split up into a number of sections, known as the [[renal pyramids]]. Blood enters into the kidney via the renal artery, which then splits up to form the arcuate arterioles. The [[arcuate arterioles]] each in turn branch into interlobular arterioles, which finally reach the [[glomerulus (kidney)|glomeruli]]. At the glomerulus the blood reaches a highly disfavourable pressure gradient and a large exchange surface area, which forces the [[serum]] portion of the blood out of the vessel into the renal tubules. Flow continues through the renal tubules, including the proximal tubule, the [[Loop of Henle]], and finally leaves the kidney by means of the [[collecting duct]], leading to the renal [[ureter]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu kidney2.jpg|Frontal section through the kidney Image:Kidney-medulla.JPG|Microscopic cross section of the renal medulla. Image:Njuren.gif|Kidney </gallery> ==External links== *[http://www.medicalengineer.co.uk/Microcirculation+of+the+Renal+Medulla.php Medical Engineer - Renal Microcirculation] *[http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/Labs/Lab23/Examples/exmedulla.htm VetMed - Renal Medulla] {{kidney}} {{anatomy-stub}} [[Category:Endocrine system]] [[Category:Kidney]] [[es:Médula renal]]