Renal Arteries

arteriae renales

The renal arteries are short, paired vessels supplying the kidneys with approximately 20 to 25 percent of cardiac output despite the kidneys representing only 0.5 percent of body weight — reflecting their role as blood filtration organs rather than metabolically active tissues. The right renal artery is longer and passes posterior to the inferior vena cava, making it the artery involved in renal cell carcinoma venous extension into the IVC.

Region: Abdomen

Anatomical Data

Origin, Insertion & Supply

Origin	Abdominal aorta at L1-L2, immediately below the superior mesenteric artery

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Renal artery stenosis from atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia is a correctable cause of secondary hypertension and progressive renal insufficiency. It is detected by captopril renal scintigraphy and confirmed by CT or MR angiography. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting treats the stenosis in selected cases. Renal artery aneurysm is the third most common visceral artery aneurysm and requires repair when exceeding 2 cm or when occurring in women of childbearing age due to rupture risk during pregnancy.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Renovascular Hypertension

Renal artery stenosis activating the renin-angiotensin system to produce secondary hypertension and progressive renal impairment, managed with ACE inhibitors (except in bilateral stenosis) and renal artery revascularisation.