Diagnostic Ultrasound - Abdomen and Pelvis

Kidneys
KIDNEY ARTERIES AND INTERIOR ANATOMY
Anatomy: Abdomen
Adrenal
Arcuate arteries
Cortical column (of
Bertin)
Interlobar arteries
Inferior adrenal artery
Interlobular arteries
Superior segmental
artery
Posterior segmental
artery
Renal artery
Anterior superior
segmental artery
Anterior inferior
segmental artery
Inferior segmental artery
Renal pyramid
Pelvic & ureteric branches
Renal papilla
Renal cortex
The kidney is usually supplied by a single renal artery, the 1st branch of which is the inferior adrenal artery. It then divides into 5
segmental arteries, only 1 of which (the posterior segmental artery) passes dorsal to the renal pelvis. The segmental arteries divide into
the interlobar arteries that lie in the renal sinus fat. Each interlobar artery branches into 4 to 6 arcuate arteries that follow the convex
outer margin of each renal pyramid. The arcuate arteries give rise to the interlobular arteries that lie within the renal cortex, including
the cortical columns (of Bertin) that invaginate between the renal pyramids. The interlobular arteries supply the afferent arterioles to
the glomeruli. The arterial supply to the kidney is vulnerable, as there are no effective anastomoses between the segmental branches,
each of which supplies a wedge-shaped segment of parenchyma.
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