Renal vein

Definition

The renal vein is the blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood away from the kidney to the inferior vena cava. It plays a critical role in filtering blood and maintaining homeostasis by removing waste products through urine formation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The renal vein drains blood from the kidney after it has been filtered.
2. There are two renal veins, one attached to each kidney.
3. Renal veins connect directly to the inferior vena cava, which returns blood to the heart.
4. Each renal vein receives blood from multiple tributaries within the kidney, including those from the renal cortex and medulla.
5. Proper functioning of the renal vein is essential for effective osmoregulation and maintenance of fluid balance in the body.

Review Questions

• What is the primary function of the renal vein?
• How many renal veins are there in the human body?
• To which major blood vessel does each renal vein connect?

Related terms

Kidney: An organ that filters waste products from the blood and produces urine.

Inferior Vena Cava: The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart.

Osmoregulation:

The process by which organisms maintain fluid balance and concentration of solutes within their internal environment.