interlobular artery

arteriae corticales radiatae

The branches of the arcuate arteries of the kidney that radiate outward throught the renal columns and supply the glomeruli[MP]. The first set of renal bloodvessels, the interlobular arteries (or cortical radiate arteries, or cortical radial arteries), are given off at right angles from the side of the arcuate arteries looking toward the cortical substance, and pass directly outward between the medullary rays to reach the fibrous tunic, where they end in the capillary network of this part. These vessels do not anastomose with each other, but form what are called end-arteries. In their outward course they give off lateral branches; these are the afferent vessels for the renal corpuscles; they enter the capsule, and end in the glomerulus. From each tuft the corresponding efferent vessel arises, and, having made its egress from the capsule near to the point where the afferent vessel enters, breaks up into a number of branches, which form a dense plexus within Bowman's capsule.

Type Nerve
Parent Structure kidney arterial blood vessel
Latin Name arteriae corticales radiatae
FMA ID 70498

Frequently Asked Questions

What are interlobular arteries?
Interlobular arteries (also called cortical radiate arteries) are branches of the arcuate arteries that pass outward through the renal cortex between the medullary rays (renal lobules). They supply the renal cortex and give rise to afferent arterioles to glomeruli.
What is the blood supply pathway leading to interlobular arteries?
Blood flows from the renal artery → segmental arteries → interlobar arteries (in renal columns) → arcuate arteries (at the corticomedullary junction) → interlobular arteries (cortical radiate arteries) → afferent arterioles → glomerular capillaries.
What do interlobular arteries give rise to?
Interlobular arteries give rise to afferent arterioles, each of which supplies a single glomerulus. Some branches also supply the renal capsule. The juxtamedullary interlobular arteries supply glomeruli near the medulla, which have longer loops of Henle.
Where are interlobular arteries located in the kidney?
Interlobular arteries run radially outward through the renal cortex between the medullary rays (lobules of cortical tissue). They begin at the arcuate arteries at the corticomedullary junction and extend toward the renal capsule.
What is the clinical relevance of interlobular arteries?
Interlobular arteries are affected in hypertensive nephrosclerosis, where they show intimal thickening and narrowing, reducing blood flow to glomeruli. In renal artery stenosis, decreased perfusion at this level contributes to ischemic nephropathy.

Related Structures

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.