Stellate veins
Encyclopedia
The veins beneath the fibrous tunic of the kidney
, stellate veins are stellate in arrangement, and are derived from the capillary
network, into which the terminal branches of the interlobular arteries
break up. These join to form the interlobular veins
, which pass inward between the rays.
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
, stellate veins are stellate in arrangement, and are derived from the capillary
Capillary
Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the microcirculation. They are only 1 cell thick. These microvessels, measuring 5-10 μm in diameter, connect arterioles and venules, and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrient and waste...
network, into which the terminal branches of the interlobular arteries
Interlobular arteries
The first set of renal bloodvessels, the interlobular arteries , are given off at right angles from the side of the arcuate arteries looking toward the cortical substance, and pass directly outward between the medullary rays to reach the fibrous tunic, where they end in the capillary network of...
break up. These join to form the interlobular veins
Interlobular veins
The venae stellatae join to form the interlobular veins, which pass inward between the rays, receive branches from the plexuses around the convoluted tubules, and, having arrived at the bases of the renal pyramids, join with the venae rectae....
, which pass inward between the rays.