Arteria renalis

Arteria Renalis is the Latin term for the renal artery, a crucial part of the human anatomy. It is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the kidneys. The renal artery is a pair of large blood vessels that originate from the aorta and deliver a significant amount of blood to the kidneys.

Anatomy

The renal arteries are typically paired and usually arise from the abdominal aorta. Each renal artery corresponds to a kidney, thus there are two renal arteries in the human body. The right renal artery often crosses posterior to the inferior vena cava to reach the right kidney, while the left renal artery has a more direct route to the left kidney.

Function

The primary function of the renal arteries is to supply the kidneys with oxygenated blood. The kidneys filter this blood to remove waste products and excess substances, which are then excreted from the body as urine. The renal arteries also play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and volume by adjusting the amount of blood filtered by the kidneys.

Clinical Significance

Diseases of the renal arteries can lead to significant health problems. For instance, renal artery stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of one or both renal arteries. This can lead to hypertension and kidney damage. Another condition, renal artery aneurysm, is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of a renal artery.

See Also

• Kidney
• Aorta
• Renal artery stenosis
• Renal artery aneurysm