Renal artery

The renal arteries are paired arteries that supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle.

Renal artery

Abdominal aorta

Inferior suprarenal artery, segmental arteries, ovarian artery

arteria renalis

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 right passes behind the , the right renal vein, the head of the pancreas, and the descending part of the duodenum. It’s somewhat lower than the left one.

inferior vena cava

Left artery lies behind the left renal vein, the and the splenic vein, and is crossed by the inferior mesenteric vein.

body of the pancreas

Clinical significance[edit]

Stenosis[edit]

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 typically diagnosed with duplex ultrasonography of the renal arteries. It is treated with the use of balloon angioplasty and stents, if necessary.

Atherosclerosis[edit]

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