View source for Afferent arteriole

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin       = arteriola glomerularis afferens |
  GraySubject = 253 |
  GrayPage    = 1221 |
  Image       = Gray1128.png |
  Caption     = Scheme of [[renal tubule]] and its vascular supply. (Label "Afferent vessel" is visible in upper left.) |
  Image2      = Gray1129.png |
  Caption2    = Distribution of bloodvessels in cortex of kidney. |
  BranchFrom  = [[interlobular artery]] |
  BranchTo    = [[glomerular capillaries]]|
  Vein        = |
  Supplies    = |
  MeshName    = |
  MeshNumber  = |
  DorlandsPre = a_62 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12156661  |
}}

{{CMG}}



The '''afferent arterioles''' are a group of [[blood vessel]]s that supply the [[nephron]]s in many [[Excretion|excretory systems]]. They play an important role in the regulation of [[blood pressure]]. 

The afferent arterioles branch from the [[renal artery]] which supplies blood to the [[kidney]]s. 

The afferent arterioles later diverge into the [[Capillary|capillaries]] of the [[glomerulus (kidney)|glomerulus]].

When renal blood flow is reduced (indicating [[hypotension]]), the [[macula densa]] releases [[prostaglandins]], which cause the [[juxtaglomerular cells]] lining the afferent arterioles to release [[renin]], activating the [[renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system]], to increase blood pressure.

==See also==
[[Efferent arteriole]]

==External links==
* {{GeorgiaPhysiology|7/7ch03/7ch03p10}} - "Renal Vasculature: Efferent Arterioles & Peritubular Capillaries"
* {{UCDavisOrganology|Urinary/mammal/vasc0/vasc2}} - "Mammal, renal vasculature (EM, Low)"
* {{USCHistology|ren/c_11}}

{{circulatory-stub}}
{{kidney}}

[[Category:Kidney]]

[[fr:Artériole glomérulaire]]
[[ja:輸入細動脈]]

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