Posterior segment of kidney

A renal segment is the area of kidney tissue which is supplied by a segmental artery arising from the renal artery.

The classical distribution of the renal arteries within the kidney form a general pattern which is constant and upon this is founded the division of renal parenchyma into five segments:

• Four segments are vascularized by the segmental arteries originating from the larger anterior branch:

  • The superior (apical) segment of kidney by the superior segmental artery

  • The anterior superior segment of kidney by the anterior superior segmental artery

  • The anterior inferior segment of kidney by the anterior inferior segmental artery

  • The inferior segment of kidney by the inferior segmental artery

• The posterior segment of kidney  is vascularized by the posterior segmental artery of kidney, the prolongement of the posterior branch of the main renal artery.

The junction of the anterior and posterior branches of the main renal artery in the renal parenchyma creates a relatively avascular plane, the avascular plane of kidney (Brodel’s line), that is located at  the section of renal parenchyma between 2/3 anterior and 1/3 posterior kidney on the cross-section, just posterior to the lateral convex border of the kidney. It is the preferred track of placing percutaneous nephrostomies and should be considered when performing biopsies of a native or transplanted kidney.