The middle suprarenal artery (middle capsular artery) is a paired artery in the abdomen. It is a branch of the
aorta
The aorta ( ) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes o ...
. It supplies the
adrenal gland
The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. Each gland has an outer cortex whic ...
.
Structure
Origin
The middle suprarenal artery (usually) arises from lateral aspect of the
abdominal aorta. Its origin occurs at roughly the same level as that of the
superior mesenteric artery
In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the du ...
.
Course
The vessel passes laterally and slightly superior-ward, passing over the
crura of the
diaphragm to reach the surface of the ipsilateral
suprarenal gland, whereupon it forms anastomoses with the other suprarenal arteries.
Relations
The anatomical relations of the left and right middle superior artery differ. The right vessel crosses the
inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of th ...
posteriorly near the
right celiac ganglion. The left vessel passes near the
right celiac ganglion, superior margin of the spleen, and
splenic artery
In human anatomy, the splenic artery or lienal artery is the blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery, and follows a course superior to the pancreas. It is known for its tortuous path to the s ...
.
Variation
There is usually a single middle suprarenal artery (on either side of the body), but in some individuals, there may be multiple, or the vessel may be absent.
The vessel may sometimes arise from the (ipsilateral)
renal artery
The renal arteries are paired arteries that supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle.
The renal arteries carry a large portion of total blood flow to the kidneys. Up to ...
, or (ipsilateral)
inferior phrenic artery.
Function
The middle suprarenal artery supplies the
adrenal gland
The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. Each gland has an outer cortex whic ...
.
Clinical significance
The middle suprarenal artery may be assessed using
Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasonography is medical ultrasonography that employs the Doppler effect to perform imaging of the movement of tissues and body fluids (usually blood), and their relative velocity to the probe. By calculating the frequency shift of a ...
.
History
The middle suprarenal artery may also be known as the middle adrenal artery
or the middle capsular artery.
See also
*
Superior suprarenal artery
*
Inferior suprarenal artery
The inferior suprarenal artery is a paired artery that supplies the adrenal gland. It usually originates at the trunk of the renal artery before its terminal division, but with many common variations. It supplies the adrenal gland parenchyma, th ...
References
External links
* - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Branches of the Abdominal Aorta"
{{Circulatory-stub
Arteries of the abdomen
Adrenal gland