What is "arcuate artery"?

The arcuate artery is a small blood vessel found in the kidneys. It is part of the renal circulation system and plays a crucial role in supplying oxygenated blood to the renal cortex. The arcuate artery gets its name from its curved or arc-shaped appearance as it courses through the kidney. It branches off from larger blood vessels called interlobar arteries and travels along the boundary between the renal cortex and the renal medulla. From the arcuate artery, smaller vessels called interlobular arteries further branch out to supply blood to the individual nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys. The arcuate artery is vital for maintaining proper kidney function and facilitating the filtration and purification of blood.