Which is the Correct Order of Blood Flow Through the Kidneys

Question

Which is the correct order of blood flow through the kidneys?
A)renal artery > segmental artery > interlobular artery > peritubular capillaries > afferent arterioles
B)interlobar arteries > arcuate arteries > glomerular capillaries > arcuate veins
C)arcuate veins > arcuate arteries > glomerular capillaries > renal vein
D)renal vein > segmental arteries > interlobar arteries > efferent arterioles
E)interlobar veins > afferent arterioles > efferent arterioles > glomerular capillaries

Accepted Answer

The correct order of blood flow through the kidneys starts with the renal artery, which branches into segmental arteries, then into interlobar arteries, which further branch into arcuate arteries, and then into interlobular arteries. From there, blood flows into the afferent arterioles, through the glomerular capillaries (where filtration occurs), and then exits the glomerulus via the efferent arterioles. The efferent arterioles then branch into the peritubular capillaries or vasa recta, which surround the nephron. Blood is then collected into the interlobular veins, then into the arcuate veins, followed by the interlobar veins, and finally exits the kidney via the renal vein. Option B correctly lists a portion of this pathway, focusing on the flow through the interlobar arteries to the arcuate arteries, then through the glomerular capillaries, and finally into the arcuate veins, which is a simplified but accurate representation of the blood flow through the kidneys.