Anatomy
Course
The renal arteries branch directly from the abdominal aorta at approximately vertebral level L1-L2. The right renal artery is longer and must pass behind the inferior vena cava to reach the right kidney. The left renal artery usually originates slightly higher. Both travel horizontally and retroperitoneally to their respective kidneys.
Supply
Supply blood to the kidneys and the adrenal glands and ureters via their branches.
Clinical
Often affected by atherosclerosis, resulting in renal artery stenosis, which causes them to narrow. This can result in hypoperfusion of the kidney and result in kidney failure.
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