Vasa recta (intestines)
Vasa recta (intestines) | |
---|---|
For the kidney structure, see straight arterioles of kidney
The tubular portion of juxtamedullary nephrons is supplied by some specialized capillaries called vasa recta.These capillaries are straight blood vessels hence the name vasa recta.Vasa recta arise directly from the efferent arteriole of the juxtamedullary nephrons and run parallel to the renal tubule into the medulla and ascend up towards the cortex. Vasa recta are straight arteries coming off from arcades in the mesentery of the jejunum and ileum, and heading toward the intestines.
The arcades are anastomoses of the jejunal and ileal arteries, branches of superior mesenteric artery.
The vasa recta of the jejunum are long and few, compared to the ileum where they are numerous and short.
See also
Additional images
- Loop of small intestine showing distribution of intestinal arteries.
External links
- jejunumileum at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)