Kidney Blood Vessels: Arteries, Veins & Capillaries - Renal Function
Renal vasculature is specialized for filtration and reabsorption:
- Renal Artery: Branch of abdominal aorta; delivers oxygenated blood to kidney.
- Segmental → Interlobar → Arcuate → Interlobular → Afferent Arteriole: Progressive branching to nephrons.
- Glomerular Capillaries: High-pressure capillary network (fenestrated endothelium) forming filtrate.
- Efferent Arteriole → Peritubular Capillaries / Vasa Recta: Low-pressure exchange around tubules (cortical) and loops of Henle (medullary).
- Renal Vein: Drains deoxygenated blood to IVC.
Unique portal system (arteriole-capillary-arteriole-capillary) enables precise hemodynamic control of GFR and tubular reabsorption.
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