Human Anatomy, Part 2 - K. A. Diubenko, A. K. Kolomiitsev, Yu. B. Chaikovsky 2008

Special Part
Cardiovascular System, systema cardiovasculare – Special Part
Blood vessels of the systemic circulation – Paired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta

1. The middle suprarenal artery, a. suprarenalis media, originates from the lateral surface of the aorta at the level of the lower border of the 1st lumbar vertebra, reaches the hilum of the suprarenal gland where it divides into 5–6 branches, and anastomoses with the superior and inferior suprarenal Arteries (a. suprarenalis superior et inferior).

2. The renal artery, a. renalis (Fig. 42), originates from the lateral surface of the aorta inferior to the Water/144.html">Origin of the superior mesenteric artery***

Anterior to the renal arteries lie the renal Veins. The right renal artery is longer than the left. It anastomoses with the superior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica superior) and the internal iliac artery (a. iliaca interna). A typical number and site of origin of the renal artery is observed in 74.7% of cases (Thomson). The number of renal arteries ranges from one to six, with these accessory arteries occurring bilaterally (Macalister). The renal artery courses transversely to reach the renal hilum, where within the renal sinus (sinus renalis) it divides into 4–5 segmental arteries, which further branch into interlobar arteries. At the border of the renal parenchyma, they connect with each other via arcuate arteries. Interlobular arteries arise from the arcuate arteries and are located within the renal parenchyma. From the interlobular arteries originate the afferent vessels (vasa afferentia), which lead into the renal glomeruli. Efferent vessels (vasa efferentia) emerge from the renal glomeruli, break up into capillaries, and form a network around the nephron. The inferior suprarenal artery (a. suprarenalis inferior) branches off the renal artery and supplies Blood to the suprarenal gland and the adipose capsule of the Kidney.

3. The testicular artery, a. testicularis (Fig. 42) (in females, the ovarian artery, a. ovarica), originates from the Abdominal Aorta inferior to the renal artery, or occasionally from the latter. The testicular artery runs in the retroperitoneal space, crosses anterior to the Ureter, and on the right side crosses the INFERIOR VENA CAVA. It then extends toward the deep inguinal ring and, as part of the Spermatic Cord, reaches the Testis, which it supplies with blood.

* Jean Riolan (1580–1657) was a French physician and professor of anatomy and botany at the University of Paris. The anastomosis between the middle and left colic arteries is named the Riolan's arch (arc of Riolan) in his honor.

** The number of sigmoid arteries ranges from one to six (A. P. Didkivskyi, 1970).

*** A low origin of the renal artery is sometimes observed, which corresponds to an inferior (ectopic) position of the kidney. When the kidney was located in the right iliac fossa or the pelvic cavity, the renal artery originated at the angle of bifurcation of the aorta into the common iliac arteries.

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Fig. 44. Superior mesenteric artery, a. mesenterica superior, and its branches (after Toldt). The transverse colon is retracted upwards, and the loops of the Small Intestine are displaced to the left.

Fig. 45. Inferior mesenteric artery, a. mesenterica inferior, and its branches (after Toldt). The transverse colon is elevated upwards; the loops of the small intestine are displaced to the right.

The ovarian artery, a. ovarica, crosses anterior to the ureter, external iliac artery, and vein, after which it runs first within the suspensory ligament of the Ovary (lig. suspensorium ovarii) and then within the broad ligament of the Uterus to reach the ovary. The ovarian artery anastomoses with the ovarian branch of the uterine artery (a. uterina).