Middle adrenal artery

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The middle adrenal (suprarenal) artery is one of the three adrenal arteries that supply the adrenal gland.

Gross Anatomy

Origin

The middle suprarenal arteries arise from the aorta on each side between the inferior phrenic artery and the renal artery. They run laterally across the diaphragmatic crura.

Location

The right artery courses between the right diaphragmatic crus and the inferior vena cava, and behind the bare area of the liver.

The left artery courses behind the posterior wall of the lesser sac, in the stomach bed.

Termination

Each middle suprarenal artery provides multiple small branches to the gland. In contrast, there is usually only a single vein that drains each gland.

The middle suprarenal artery is the second most important artery after the inferior suprarenal artery to supply the gland.

Variant anatomy

The middle suprarenal artery may occasionally be absent. It has been documented to be present in ~80% of patients .

The origin of the middle suprarenal artery can vary and it can arise from :