Renal Artery - Asymmetries Before Reaching Kidney

Asymmetries Before Reaching Kidney

Due to the position of the aorta, the inferior vena cava and the kidneys in the body, the right renal artery is normally longer than the left renal artery.

• The right passes behind the inferior vena cava, the right renal vein, the head of the pancreas, and the descending part of the duodenum.
• The left is somewhat higher than the right; it lies behind the left renal vein, the body of the pancreas and the splenic vein, and is crossed by the inferior mesenteric vein.