Which of the following correctly traces blood flow from the renal artery into the renal cortex?

• A. Renal artery → Segmental artery → Interlobar artery → Arcuate artery → Interlobular artery
• B. Renal artery → Interlobar artery → Segmental artery → Interlobular artery → Arcuate artery
• C. Renal artery → Interlobular artery → Arcuate artery → Segmental artery → Interlobar artery
• D. Renal artery → Arcuate artery → Segmental artery → Interlobar artery → Interlobular artery

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the anatomy of the kidney and the path of blood flow through its structures. The kidney receives blood through the renal artery, which branches into smaller arteries as it moves towards the renal cortex.
2. Identify the first branch from the renal artery, which is the segmental artery. This artery is responsible for dividing the blood flow into different segments of the kidney.
3. Next, the segmental artery branches into the interlobar arteries. These arteries travel between the renal pyramids towards the cortex.
4. The interlobar arteries then branch into the arcuate arteries, which arch over the base of the renal pyramids.
5. Finally, the arcuate arteries give rise to the interlobular arteries, which extend into the renal cortex, supplying blood to the nephrons.