Kidney blood supply

What percent of body weight are the kidneys, and how much blood do they receive?

Kidneys are 0.4% of body weight but receive about 21% of cardiac output.

Why do kidneys receive such a large percentage of the blood supply?

Because they are essential in regulating blood volume and composition.

What is the correct order of blood flow into the kidneys starting from the aorta?

Aorta → Renal artery → Segmental artery → Interlobar artery → Arcuate artery → Interlobular (cortical radiate) artery → Afferent arteriole

What vessel carries blood into the glomerulus?

The afferent arteriole.

What is the glomerulus?

A capillary network where blood is filtered in the nephron.

What vessel carries blood away from the glomerulus?

The efferent arteriole.

What are the two capillary networks that follow the efferent arteriole?

Peritubular capillaries (in cortex) and vasa recta (in medulla).

What is the function of the peritubular capillaries?

They surround the renal tubules and are involved in reabsorption and secretion.

What is the vasa recta and what is its function?

A network of capillaries that runs alongside the nephron loop; delivers 1–2% of blood to the renal medulla and helps maintain the medullary concentration gradient.

What is the order of blood flow out of the kidney starting from the capillaries?

Peritubular capillaries/vasa recta → Interlobular vein → Arcuate vein → Interlobar vein → Renal vein → Inferior vena cava