[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/) › Left renal artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Left renal artery The left renal artery carries blood from the aorta to the left [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/); the left renal vein crosses in front of it. Official name: Renal artery [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=renal_artery_left&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 runs a short way to the left kidney, dividing into segmental branches. ## What it does Brings the left kidney its share of about a fifth of all the blood the heart pumps. ## Key points - The left renal vein crosses in front of it near the aorta, so in surgery the vein is met first and the artery lies behind it - 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%; they shape the plan for living donor nephrectomy and aortic surgery ## Key facts **Origin** Left side of the aorta at about L1–L2, just below the SMA; shorter than the right, behind the left renal vein **Branches** Anterior and posterior divisions giving 5 segmental arteries; inferior suprarenal and ureteric branches **Supplies** Left kidney, part of the left adrenal, upper [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) (varies: accessory renal arteries in about 25–30%) ## Relations **Course** Runs laterally from the [abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) across the left crus of the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) and [psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) to the hilum, dividing into anterior and posterior divisions close to it **In front** [Left renal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-renal-vein/), body of the [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) and the [splenic vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/splenic-vein/) **Behind** Left crus of the diaphragm and psoas major ## How to find it Not palpable. From the front it lies behind the left renal vein, which crosses the aorta just below the [superior mesenteric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-artery/); the vein is lifted to expose the artery. At the hilum, as on the right, the vein is 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; CT or MR angiography maps stenosis and accessory arteries. In fibromuscular dysplasia angiography shows a string of beads. ## 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) - In bilateral stenosis, or stenosis to a single kidney, blocking the renin–angiotensin system can cause a sharp fall in kidney function - Most abdominal aortic aneurysms start below the renal arteries; the length of normal aorta below them decides how the aneurysm is repaired - In donor nephrectomy the left kidney is usually preferred for its longer vein, despite its shorter artery ## Anatomical variants - Accessory renal arteries in at least about 30%, often to the lower pole - Early (prehilar) division of the main artery, which shortens the trunk available for clamping or grafting ## 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/) - [Atheroembolic renal disease (cholesterol crystal embolism)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/atheroembolic-renal-disease/) - [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. ## How does the left renal artery relate to the left renal vein near the aorta? The left renal vein crosses in front of it, so in surgery the vein is met first and the artery lies behind it. ## How does the renal artery divide near the hilum? Into anterior and posterior divisions giving 5 segmental arteries; it also gives inferior suprarenal and ureteric branches. ## How common are accessory renal arteries, and where do they usually go? In about 25–30% of people or more, often to the lower pole; they shape plans for living donor nephrectomy and aortic surgery. ## What can happen when the renin–angiotensin system is blocked in bilateral renal artery stenosis? A sharp fall in kidney function, also seen with stenosis to a single kidney. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/renal-artery/) 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/) - [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/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery/