anterior inferior segmental renal artery

The anterior inferior segmental renal artery is a segmental renal artery that passes anterior to the renal pelvis and courses laterally with a slight inferior angulation, supplying the anteroinferior lobe of the kidney including the central anteroinferior region and extending to the lateral aspect and slightly onto the posterior surface.

It is located at the renal hilum, arising from the main renal artery or the anterior division and traveling anterior to the renal pelvis toward the anteroinferior renal parenchyma.

Its function is to supply oxygenated blood to the anteroinferior lobe of the kidney, covering the central anteroinferior zone, the lateral kidney surface, and a small portion of the posterior surface of the kidney.

Renal tumors in the anteroinferior region and renal trauma may be associated with injury or involvement of this artery, and its anatomy is critical in planning partial nephrectomy for lower-pole lesions.

CT angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction is routinely used to identify the anterior inferior segmental renal artery and plan nephron-sparing surgery.