Arcuate artery

The Arcuate artery (pronounced: ar-KYOO-it AR-ter-ee) is a term used in anatomy to refer to several different arteries in the body. The most commonly referred to are those found in the kidney and the foot.

Etymology

The term "arcuate" comes from the Latin arcuatus, meaning "bowed" or "arched". This is in reference to the curved shape of these arteries.

Kidney

In the kidney, the arcuate arteries are located at the border of the renal cortex and renal medulla. They branch off from the interlobar arteries and run parallel to the surface of the kidney. These arteries give off several interlobular arteries, which supply the renal cortex.

Foot

In the foot, the arcuate artery is a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. It runs in a curve across the back of the foot, supplying blood to the metatarsal and digital arteries.

Related terms

Renal cortex: The outer portion of the kidney where the arcuate arteries are located.
Renal medulla: The innermost part of the kidney, surrounded by the renal cortex.
Interlobar arteries: The arteries from which the arcuate arteries branch off in the kidney.
Interlobular arteries: The arteries that branch off from the arcuate arteries in the kidney.
Dorsalis pedis artery: The artery from which the arcuate artery in the foot branches off.
Metatarsal arteries: The arteries that are supplied by the arcuate artery in the foot.
Digital arteries: The arteries that are also supplied by the arcuate artery in the foot.