What is the renal blood supply?

• A. Comes from the renal arteries that branch from the abdominal aorta.
• B. Comes from the superior mesenteric artery.
• C. Drains into the inferior vena cava directly.
• D. Is supplied by the hepatic artery.

Answer: (A)

Renal blood supply comes from the renal arteries that branch from the abdominal aorta. These arteries enter each kidney at the hilum and divide into smaller branches (segmental, interlobar, and arcuate) to deliver oxygenated blood to the nephrons and glomeruli for filtration. The kidneys receive a large portion of cardiac output to support this filtration, meaning a significant amount of blood passes through them each minute. Blood then leaves the kidneys via the renal veins into the inferior vena cava. Arteries like the superior mesenteric artery or the hepatic artery supply other organs (intestines and liver, respectively), not the kidneys.