Renal artery Health Dictionary

Renal Artery: From 1 Different Sources

either of two large arteries arising from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys. Each renal artery divides into an anterior and a posterior branch before entering the kidney.

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Renal

Relating to the kidneys... renal

Renal Cell Carcinoma

See HYPERNEPHROMA.... renal cell carcinoma

This artery arises from the brachial artery at the level of the neck of the radius. It passes down the forearm to the wrist, where it is easily palpated laterally. It then winds around the wrist to the palm of the hand to supply the ?ngers. (See ARTERIES.)... radial artery

Renal Tubule

See KIDNEYS.... renal tubule

Temporal Artery

A branch of the external carotid artery that is the main vessel supplying blood to the temple and scalp.... temporal artery

Brachial Artery

The artery that runs down the inner side of the upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow.... brachial artery

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Systemic arteries carry blood pumped from the left ventricle of the heart to all parts of the body except the lungs. The largest systemic artery is the aorta, which emerges from the left ventricle; other major systemic arteries branch off from the aorta. The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Arteries are tubes with thick, elastic, muscular walls able to withstand the high pressure of blood flow. The structure of arteries helps to even out the peaks and troughs of blood pressure caused by the heartbeat, so that the blood is kept flowing at a relatively constant pressure. (See also arteries, disorders of.)... artery

Carotid Artery

Any of the main arteries of the neck and head. There are 2 common carotid arteries (left and right), each of which divides into 2 main branches (internal and external).

The left carotid arises from the aorta and runs up the neck on the left side of the trachea (windpipe). The right carotid arises from the subclavian artery (which branches off the aorta) and follows a similar route on the right side of the

neck. Just above the level of the larynx (voice-box), each carotid artery divides to form an external carotid artery and an internal carotid artery. The external arteries have multiple branches that supply most tissues in the face, scalp, mouth, and jaws; the internal arteries enter the skull to supply the brain and eyes. At the base of the brain, branches of the 2 internal carotids and the basilar artery join to form a ring of vessels called the circle of Willis. Narrowing of these vessels may be associated with transient ischaemic attack (TIA); obstruction of them causes a stroke. carpal tunnel syndrome Numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index finger, and middle fingers caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms may be worse at night. The condition results from pressure on the nerve where it passes into the hand via a gap (the “carpal tunnel’’) under a ligament at the front of the wrist. It is common among keyboard users. It also occurs without obvious cause in middleaged women, and is associated with pregnancy, initial use of oral contraceptives, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, myxoedema, and acromegaly.

The condition often disappears without treatment.

Persistent symptoms may be treated with a corticosteroid drug injected under the ligament, or the ligament may be cut to relieve pressure on the nerve.... carotid artery

Coronary Artery Disease

Narrowing of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, leading to damage or malfunction of the heart. The most common heart disorders due to coronary artery disease are angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (heart attack). The usual cause of narrowing of the arteries is atherosclerosis, in which fatty plaques develop on the artery linings. The vessel can become totally blocked if a blood clot forms or lodges in the narrowed area. Atherosclerosis has many interrelated causes including smoking, a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, being overweight, and raised blood cholesterol levels. Other factors include a genetic predisposition and diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The first symptom of coronary artery disease is frequently the chest pain of angina. Treatment is with drugs such as glyceryl trinitrate and other nitrate drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, potassium channel activators, and vasodilator drugs. If drug treatment fails to relieve the symptoms, or there is extensive narrowing of the coronary

arteries, blood flow may be improved by balloon angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.... coronary artery disease

Femoral Artery

A major blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the leg. The femoral artery is formed in the pelvis from the iliac artery (the terminal branch of the aorta). It then runs from the groin, down in front of the thigh, and passes behind the knee to become the popliteal artery, which branches again to supply the lower leg.... femoral artery

Renal Tubular Acidosis

A condition in which the kidneys are unable to excrete normal amounts of acid made by the body.

The blood is more acidic than normal, and the urine less acidic.

Causes include kidney damage due to disease, drugs, or a genetic disorder; but in many cases the cause is unknown.

The acidosis may result in osteomalacia, kidney stones (see calculus, urinary tract), nephrocalcinosis, and hypokalaemia (an abnormally low level of potassium in the blood).... renal tubular acidosis

Retinal Artery Occlusion

Blockage of an artery supplying blood to the retina, most commonly due to thrombosis or embolism, The disorder can result in permanent blindness or loss of part of the field of vision, depending on the artery affected and whether or not the condition can be treated quickly enough.... retinal artery occlusion

Coronary Artery Vein Bypass Grafting (cavbg)

When coronary arteries, narrowed by disease, cannot supply the heart muscle with su?cient blood, the cardiac circulation may be improved by grafting a section of vein from the leg to bypass the obstruction. Around 10,000 people in the United Kingdom have this operation annually and the results are usually good. It is a major procedure that lasts several hours and requires the heart to be stopped temporarily, with blood circulation and oxygenation taken over by a HEART-LUNG MACHINE.... coronary artery vein bypass grafting (cavbg)

Intracoronary Artery Stenting

A narrowed or blocked coronary artery (see ARTERIES) can compromise the blood supply to the heart muscle (see HEART, DISEASES OF). A supportive tube or stent passed into each affected artery can restore the blood supply. The stent has a HEPARIN coating to stop blood clots from forming. Since it was ?rst performed in 1987, intracoronary stents have cut the reblockage rate from one in three patients who have had coronary ANGIOPLASTY to fewer than one in ten in cases where a stent was used with angioplasty.... intracoronary artery stenting

Renal Calculi

Calculi relating to kidney... renal calculi

Renal Diseases

See KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF.... renal diseases

Renal Failure (acute)

Inefficient functioning of the kidney, leading to death unless acute medical attention is available. Envenomation (especially snake bite) is a common cause, as well as a range of medical conditions, including infection..... renal failure (acute)

Dropsy, Renal

Oedema. Hydrops. Not a disease but a condition. An abnormal accumulation of fluid in a body cavity or beneath the skin. Due to weakened walls of capillaries caused by circulating toxins obstructing the flow of blood or lymph. Gross oedema of nephrotic syndrome associated with low plasma protein level and high proteinuria.

Renal dropsy is worse in the early morning, with loose tissues under the eyes.

Treatment. When fluid rapidly collects it may have to be aspirated (drawn off) but before this stage is reached herbal diuretics and cardiac tonics have much to offer. In acute conditions, sweat glands should be stimulated by suitable diaphoretics to assist elimination of excess fluid through the skin. Attention to the bowels is important; a timely copious bowel action greatly assisting elimination. A well-known diuretic for dropsy is Juniper, 3 to 5 drops taken in honey 2 or 3 times daily.

Alternatives. Teas. (Simple infusions): Agrimony, Bearberry, Boldo, Boneset, Borage, Buchu, Celery seed, Clivers, Corn Silk, Dandelion leaves, Parsley leaves, Elderflowers, Bogbean, Heartsease, Lime flowers, Parsley Piert, Pellitory, Plantain, Sea Holly, Wild Carrot, Yarrow.

Decoctions. Broom tops, Lovage, Burdock root, Couchgrass, Dandelion root, Juniper berries, Blue Flag root.

Bean Cure (Phaseolus vulgaris). 1 tablespoon kidney (haricot) bean pods, sliced, in cup water simmered gently for 5 minutes. 1 cup morning and mid-day.

Sassafras root. An old Swedish colonist of the late 18th century related how his mother cured many cases of dropsy with a decoction of Sassafras root. (American Indian Medicine. Virgil Vogel, p.363) Of historic interest only, this root is no longer used in herbal practice.

Tablets/capsules. Buchu. Dandelion. Juniper. Celery. Garlic. Blue Flag.

Powders. Equal parts: Buchu, Dandelion root, Stone root, Senna leaf. Mix. Dose: 500-750mg (2 × 3 × 00 capsules or one-third to half a teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid Extracts. Equal parts: Buchu, Clivers, Blue Flag. Mix. 30-60 drops, thrice daily.

Practitioner. Alternatives with a record of efficacy. Tinctures.

Formula 1. Burdock, 20ml; Buchu, 20ml; Bearberry, 20ml; Aqua to 100ml. Dose: 5ml 3 times daily in water.

Formula 2. Juniper, 10ml; Buchu, 20ml; Broom, 10ml; Dandelion, 10ml. Aqua to 100ml. Dose: 5ml, 3 times daily, in water.

Topical. Poultice over kidney area: quarter of an ounce Irish Moss gently simmered in half a pint water to a jellied mass and applied on linen or suitable material to the small of the back. Repeat 2 or 3 times with fresh hot poultices.

Diet. High protein, low salt. Fresh conservatively-cooked vegetables, polyunsaturated oils. Bottled or spring water.

Supplementation. Vitamin A, B-complex, B1, B6, C, E, Potassium.

General. Elevation of affected limbs above level of abdomen.

This condition should be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... dropsy, renal

Coronary Artery

Either of the 2 main arteries that supply the tissues of the heart with oxygen-rich blood. These are

known as the left and right main coronary arteries and arise directly from the aorta. The term coronary artery is also applied to any of the arteries that branch off from the main coronary arteries, such as the left circumflex artery and the left anterior descending artery. Blockage of a coronary artery as a result of atherosclerosis can lead to myocardial infarction.

(See also coronary artery disease.)... coronary artery

Coronary Artery Bypass

A major heart operation to bypass narrowed or blocked coronary arteries using additional blood vessels (such as a mammary artery) to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. This operation is used when symptoms of coronary artery disease have not been relieved by drugs or balloon angioplasty.

Before surgery, sites of blockage in the arteries are identified using angiography. In some cases, minimally invasive surgery can be used, avoiding the need to stop the heart and use a heart–lung machine during the operation. The long term outlook after a bypass is good, but the grafted vessels may also eventually become blocked by atherosclerosis.... coronary artery bypass

Renal Biopsy

See kidney biopsy.... renal biopsy

Renal Colic

Spasms of severe pain on one side of the back, usually caused by a kidney stone (see calculus, urinary tract) passing down the ureter.

There may also be nausea, vomiting, sweating, and blood in the urine.

Treatment is usually with bed rest, plenty of fluids, and injections of an analgesic drug, such as pethidine.... renal colic

Renal Failure

See kidney failure.... renal failure

Renal Transplant

Another term for kidney transplant.... renal transplant

Acute Renal Failure

acute kidney injury (see AKI).... acute renal failure

Atheroembolic Renal Disease

a disease associated with diffuse atherosclerosis and sloughing of atheromatous plaques in the aorta and main renal arteries. This results in occlusion of smaller arteries and arterioles downstream within the kidney, with ischaemic and inflammatory reactions. This leads to the onset of renal impairment. Precipitating factors include invasive procedures with aortic cannulae, vascular surgery, and therapy with thrombolytics or anticoagulants. Less commonly the condition can occur spontaneously.... atheroembolic renal disease

Basilar Artery

an artery in the base of the brain, formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries. It extends from the lower to the upper border of the pons Varolii and then divides to form the two posterior cerebral arteries.... basilar artery

Brachiocephalic Artery

see innominate artery.... brachiocephalic artery

Carotid Artery Stenosis

(carotid stenosis) narrowing of the carotid artery, which reduces the supply of blood to the brain and is a cause of strokes. It is treated by surgical excision or bypass of the narrowed segment (see also endarterectomy) or by inserting a *stent into the carotid artery.... carotid artery stenosis

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

(CABG) *coronary revascularization in which a segment of a coronary artery narrowed by atheroma is bypassed by an *autologous section of healthy saphenous vein or internal mammary artery at *thoracotomy. The improved blood flow resulting from one or more such grafts relieves *angina pectoris and reduces the risk of *myocardial infarction. Recently developed techniques of *minimally invasive surgery have enabled the operation to be performed without the need for thoracotomy.... coronary artery bypass graft

End Artery

the terminal branch of an artery, which does not communicate with other branches. The tissue it supplies is therefore probably completely dependent on it for its blood supply.... end artery

End-stage Renal Failure

(ESRF, CKD 5) the most advanced stage of kidney failure, which is reached when the *glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls to 15 ml/min (normal GFR = 100 ml/min).... end-stage renal failure

Hyaloid Artery

a fetal artery lying in the *hyaloid canal of the eye and supplying the lens.... hyaloid artery

Innominate Artery

(brachiocephalic artery) a short artery originating as the first large branch of the *aortic arch, passing upwards to the right, and ending at the lower neck near the right sternoclavicular joint. Here it divides into the right common carotid and the right subclavian arteries.... innominate artery

Myoglobinuric Acute Renal Failure

acute kidney injury caused by myoglobin that is released from damaged skeletal muscle (*rhabdomyolysis). This is usually the result of trauma and the condition was first recognized in victims trapped and crushed during the London Blitz. Muscle injury can also occur with pressure necrosis, particularly in the unconscious or immobile patient, or with a *compartment syndrome. Rarely it may complicate intensive muscular exercise or extensive viral myositis and it is a recognized complication of modest overexertion in some inherited disorders of muscle metabolism, such as *McArdle’s disease.... myoglobinuric acute renal failure

Pulmonary Artery

the artery that conveys blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation: the only artery in the body containing deoxygenated blood. It leaves the right ventricle and passes upwards for 5 cm before dividing into two, one branch going to each lung. Within the lungs each pulmonary artery divides into many fine branches, which end in capillaries in the alveolar walls. See also pulmonary circulation.... pulmonary artery

Renal Function Tests

tests for assessing the function of the kidneys. These include measurements of the specific gravity of urine, creatinine *clearance time, and blood urea levels; intravenous urography; and renal angiography.... renal function tests

Renal Osteodystrophy

see osteodystrophy.... renal osteodystrophy

Renal Transplantation

see transplantation.... renal transplantation

Spermatic Artery

either of two arteries that originate from the abdominal aorta and travel downwards to supply the testes.... spermatic artery

Sphenopalatine Artery Ligation

(SPA) a surgical procedure to identify and occlude the sphenopalatine artery in the nose using endoscopic surgery. It is used in the treatment of severe epistaxis (nosebleed).... sphenopalatine artery ligation

Subclavian Artery

either of two arteries supplying blood to the neck and arms. The right subclavian artery branches from the innominate artery; the left subclavian arises directly from the aortic arch.... subclavian artery

Ulnar Artery

a branch of the brachial artery arising at the elbow and running deep within the muscles of the medial side of the forearm. It passes into the palm of the hand, where it unites with the arch of the radial artery and gives off branches to the hand and fingers.... ulnar artery

Uterine Artery Embolization

a method of embolizing the uterine artery under radiodiagnostic control (see embolization). It has been successful in controlling postpartum haemorrhage and can also be used in treating fibroids, correcting arterial or venous malformations of the genital tract, and terminating abdominal and cervical pregnancies.... uterine artery embolization

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Renal artery Health Dictionary

Renal Artery: From 1 Different Sources

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