[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) › Right renal artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Right renal artery The right renal artery carries blood from the aorta to the right [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/); it passes behind the inferior vena cava and is longer than the left. Official name: Renal artery [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=renal_artery_right&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Leaves the side of the aorta at [L1-L2](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/l1-l2/) and passes behind the inferior vena cava to the right kidney, so it is longer than the left; it divides into segmental branches. ## What it does Brings the right kidney its share of about a fifth of all the blood the heart pumps. ## Key points - Passes behind the inferior vena cava, which makes it longer than the left; on a long- [axis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) ultrasound of the vena cava it appears as a small round vessel behind it - [Renal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery/) stenosis: atherosclerosis at the origin in older people; fibromuscular dysplasia (beaded mid and distal segment) in young women - Accessory renal arteries in at least about 30%; one to the lower pole may run in front of the vena cava instead of behind it ## Key facts **Origin** Right side of the aorta at about L1–L2, just below the SMA; longer than the left, it passes behind the IVC **Branches** Anterior and posterior divisions giving 5 segmental arteries; inferior suprarenal and ureteric branches **Supplies** Right kidney, part of the right adrenal, upper [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) (varies: accessory renal arteries in about 25–30%) ## Relations **Course** From the [abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) it passes to the right behind the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/) and the [right renal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-renal-vein/), then on to the hilum, dividing into anterior and posterior divisions **In front** Inferior vena cava, right renal vein, head of the [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) and the second part of the [duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/) **Behind** Right crus of the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) and [psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) ## How to find it Not palpable. At open or laparoscopic surgery it is reached behind the inferior vena cava, either by lifting the cava or through the gap between the cava and the aorta; at the hilum it lies between the renal vein in front and the [renal pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-pelvis/) behind. ## Examination - Auscultation over the epigastrium or flank: a bruit, especially one that continues into diastole, suggests renal artery stenosis ## On imaging Duplex Doppler shows a high peak velocity at a narrowing and, further on, a damped intrarenal waveform; CT or MR angiography maps the stenosis and any accessory or precaval arteries. ## Common problems - Renal artery stenosis: a narrowing that can cause high blood pressure. ## Clinical notes - A narrowed renal artery lowers kidney perfusion, triggering renin release and renovascular hypertension (Goldblatt mechanism) - Because it runs behind the vena cava, in right nephrectomy it is reached by retracting the cava or between the cava and the aorta; the artery is tied before the vein - Fibromuscular dysplasia can also affect other arteries, notably the carotid and vertebral arteries, so finding it here prompts a look elsewhere ## Anatomical variants - Accessory renal arteries in at least about 30%, often to the lower pole - Precaval course of an accessory or main right renal artery, in front of the inferior vena cava ## Development The kidney starts low in the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) and climbs to the lumbar region, picking up new arteries from the aorta as it rises while the lower ones normally fade; the ones that persist become accessory or polar renal arteries. ## Related conditions - [Renovascular hypertension (renal artery stenosis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/renovascular-hypertension/) - [Chronic kidney disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/) - [Acute kidney injury](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acute-kidney-injury/) - [Arterial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the course of the right renal artery, and why is it longer than the left? From the aorta at about L1–L2, just below the SMA, it passes to the right behind the inferior vena cava and right renal vein to the hilum, which makes it longer. ## What are the two main causes of renal artery stenosis? Atherosclerosis at the origin in older people, and fibromuscular dysplasia (beaded mid and distal segment) in young women. ## How does renal artery stenosis cause hypertension? Lower kidney perfusion triggers renin release, giving renovascular hypertension (Goldblatt mechanism). ## Which examination finding suggests renal artery stenosis? A bruit over the epigastrium or flank, especially one that continues into diastole. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/renal-artery-abdomen/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria renalis TA2 4269 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria renal DeCS D012077 **English (TA2)** Renal artery ## Related - [Abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) - [Inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/) - [Kidneys](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) - [Renal pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-pelvis/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=12498); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Renal Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459158/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Abdominal Aorta (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery-abdomen/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery-abdomen/