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

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.

References

External links

* - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Branches of the Abdominal Aorta" {{Circulatory-stub Arteries of the abdomen Adrenal gland