renal artery

Examples of renal artery in the following topics:

• Supply of Blood and Nerves to the Kidneys

  • The renal veins drain the kidney and the renal arteries supply blood to the kidney.
  • The arterial supply of the kidneys is variable from person to person, and there may be one or more renal arteries supplying each 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 renal arteries carry a large portion of the total blood flow to the kidneys—up to a third of the total cardiac output can pass through the renal arteries to be filtered by the kidneys.
  • The renal arteries split into several segmental arteries upon entering the kidneys, which then split into several arterioles.

• Internal Anatomy of the Kidneys

  • The renal cortex is a space between the medulla and the outer capsule.
  • The kidneys are surrounded by a renal cortex, a layer of tissue that is also covered by renal fascia (connective tissue) and the renal capsule.
  • The cortex provides a space for arterioles and venules from the renal artery and vein, as well as the glomerular capillaries, to perfuse the nephrons of the kidney.
  • It surrounds a tuft of capillaries called the glomerulus that carries blood from the renal arteries into the nephron, where plasma is filtered through the capsule.
  • The renal pelvis contains the hilium.

• Ureters

  • The ureters receive a blood supply from a few different major arteries including the renal and illiac artery derivatives, and have a relatively dense nerve supply as well.
  • 1) Human urinary system. 2) Kidney. 3) Renal pelvis. 4) Ureter. 5) Urinary bladder. 6) Urethra (left side with frontal section). 7) Adrenal gland vessels. 8) Renal artery and vein. 9) Inferior vena cava. 10) Abdominal aorta. 11) Common iliac artery and vein with transparency. 12) Liver. 13) Large intestine. 14) Pelvis.

• Location and External Anatomy of the Kidneys

  • The kidneys are the primary functional organ of the renal system.
  • They are covered by the renal capsule, which is a tough capsule of fibrous connective tissue.
  • Resting on top of each kidney is an adrenal gland (adrenal meaning on top of renal), which are involved in some renal system processes despite being a primarily endocrine organ.
  • The renal artery branches off from the lower part of the aorta and provides the blood supply to the kidneys.
  • Renal veins take blood away from the kidneys into the inferior vena cava.

• Overview of the Urinary System

  • The renal system organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
  • The  renal system has many functions.
  • The kidneys have an extensive blood supply from the renal arteries that leave the kidneys via the renal vein.
  • The nephrons are made up of a capsule capillaries (the glomerulus) and a small renal tube.
  • Urine passes from the renal tube through tubes called ureters and into the bladder.

• Development of the Heart

  • Approximately 30 posterolateral branches arise off the aorta and will form the intercostal arteries, upper and lower extremity arteries, lumbar arteries, and the lateral sacral arteries.
  • The lateral branches of the aorta form the definitive renal, suprarrenal and gonadal arteries.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.
  • The vitelline arteries form the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric arteries of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • After birth, the umbilical arteries will form the internal iliac arteries.

• Great Vessels of the Heart

  • Along the way up the body from the iliac veins, the renal and suprarenal veins (kidney and adrenal glands), lumbar veins (from the back), and hepatic veins (from the liver) all drain into the inferior vena cava.
  • The aorta is the largest of the arteries in systemic circulation.
  • The arch of aorta is the peak of the aorta, which breaks off into the left carotid artery, brachiocephalic trunk, and the left subclavian artery.
  • The abdominal aorta is the part of the descending aorta below the diaphragm, which divides into the iliac arteries and branches into the renal and suprarenal arteries.
  • These are the only arteries that carry deoxygenated blood, and are considered arteries because they carry blood away from the heart.

• Development of the Cardiovascular System

  • On the obliteration of the stapedial artery, this anastomosis enlarges and forms the internal maxillary artery; the branches of the stapedial artery are now branches of this vessel.
  • Approximately 30 posterolateral branches arise off the aorta and will form the intercostal arteries, upper and lower extremity arteries, lumbar arteries, and the lateral sacral arteries.
  • The lateral branches of the aorta form the definitive renal, suprarenal, and gonadal arteries.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.
  • After birth, the umbilical arteries will form the internal iliac arteries.

• Arterial Blood Pressure

  • The measurement of blood pressure without further specification usually refers to systemic arterial pressure measured at the upper arm.
  • The tunica media of arteries is thickened compared to veins, with smoother muscle fibers and elastic tissue.
  • All levels of arterial pressure put mechanical stress on the arterial walls.
  • Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and arterial aneurysms, and is the leading cause of chronic renal failure.
  • Even moderate elevation of arterial pressure leads to shortened life expectancy.

• Hypertension

  • Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated.
  • The remaining 5–10% of cases (secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.
  • Renal disease is the most common secondary cause of hypertension.
  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart failure, aneurysms of the arteries (e.g. aortic aneurysm), peripheral arterial disease and is a cause of chronic kidney disease.
  • Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy.