Kidney left and right, which branch directly from the abdominal aorta. Despite their relatively small size, the kidneys receive approximately 20% of the cardiac output. Each renal artery branches into segmental arteries, dividing further into interlobar arteries, which penetrate the renal capsule and extend through the renal columns between the renal pyramids. The interlobar arteries then supply blood to the arcuate arteries that run through the boundary of the cortex and the medulla. Each arcuate artery supplies several interlobular arteries that feed into the afferent arterioles that supply the glomeruli. After filtration occurs, the blood moves through a small network of
Left anterior descending artery the right aortic sinus. In 78% of cases, it reaches the apex of the heart. The LAD gives off two types of branches: "septals" and "diagonals". The artery supplies the anterolateral myocardium, apex, and interventricular septum. The LAD typically supplies 45-55% of the left ventricle (LV) and is therefore considered the most critical vessel in terms of myocardial blood supply. The "widow maker" is an alternate name for the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. The name "widow maker" may also apply to the left coronary artery or severe occlusions to that artery. This term is used because