Table of Contents
For Students
The renal arteries arise, one on each side, from the abdominal aorta at a point opposite the upper border of the second lumbar vertebra (i.e., a little above the small of the back). Close to the renal hilus each artery gives off small branches to the adrenal gland and ureter and then branches into anterior and posterior divisions. The large veins carrying blood from the kidneys usually lie in front of the corresponding arteries and join the inferior vena cava almost at right angles. The left vein is longer than the right vein because the inferior vena cava lies closer ...(100 of 14829 words)