Question

In the space provided below, create a flow chart showing the pathway of blood moving through the arteries, capillaries, and veinsof the kidney. Start with blood in the descending aorta and end with the blood in the inferior vena cava.

Answer 1

Blood flows through the renal arteries into the kidney, then to progressively smaller vessels until it reaches the nephrons for filtration. Afterward, it exits via the corresponding veins into the renal veins, and eventually back into the inferior vena cava.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pathway of blood moving through the arteries, capillaries, and veins of the kidney begins as blood is transported from the descending aorta into the renal arteries. These arteries further divide into segmental arteries, interlobar arteries, arcuate arteries, and cortical radiate arteries. The cortical radiate arteries branch into afferent arterioles which lead to the capillaries surrounding the nephrons. Upon filtration in the nephrons, the blood then flows into efferent arterioles and then into a network of venules. These venules merge into small veins that follow a similar path as the arteries, called interlobar veins, arcuate veins, and cortical radiate veins. Finally, the cleaned blood leaves the kidney through the renal veins which merge with the inferior vena cava, completing the pathway.