Interlomerular Artery

Explain the blood supply for the kidney 12

A system of blood vessels allows the exchange of materials that occurs in the kidneys. A renal artery branches off the abdominal aorta and enters the renal sinus of each kidney. Segmental arteries diverge from the renal artery to form interlobar arteries, which ascend within the renal columns toward the renal cortex. Branches from the interlobar arteries diverge near the base of each pyramid and arch over the bases of the pyramids to form the arcuate arteries. Interlobular arteries project from the arcuate arteries into the cortex, and afferent arterioles are derived from the interlobular arteries or their branches. The afferent arterioles supply blood to the glomerular capillaries of the renal corpuscles.

Efferent arterioles arise from the glomerular capillaries and carry blood away from the glomeruli. After each efferent arteriole exits the glomerulus, it gives rise to a plexus of capillaries, called the peritubular capillaries, around the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Associated with the juxtamedullary nephrons are specialized sets of peritubular capillaries called the vasa recta. The peritubular capillaries drain into interlobular veins, which in turn drain into the arcuate veins. The arcuate veins empty into the interlobar veins, which drain into the renal vein. The renal vein exits the kidney and connects to the inferior vena cava.
Seeley, R., VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2011). Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology (9th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill