Anterior branch of renal artery
Ramus anterior arteriae renalis
- Related terms: Anterior branch
Definition
Anterior branch of the renal artery refers to one of the two main divisions of the renal artery that supplies the kidney. The renal artery, after arising from the abdominal aorta, typically divides into an anterior (ventral) branch and a posterior (dorsal) branch before entering the renal hilum.
Key Anatomical Features
The anterior branch of the renal artery is the larger of the two main divisions and supplies approximately three-quarters of the renal parenchyma. It courses anterior to the renal pelvis and further subdivides into four segmental arteries:
Apical (superior) segmental artery supplies the anterosuperior segment of the kidney
Upper (anterior superior) segmental artery supplies the upper anterior segment
Middle (anterior inferior) segmental artery supplies the middle anterior segment
Lower (inferior) segmental artery supplies the lower pole of the kidney
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