Which vessel carries blood from the heart to the kidney?

• A. Renal artery
• B. Aorta
• C. Renal vein
• D. Iliac artery

Answer: (A)

Arteries move blood away from the heart, and the kidney receives its blood supply through a renal artery. This vessel branches directly from the abdominal aorta and delivers oxygenated blood to the kidney so filtration can occur in the nephrons. After filtration, blood returns via the renal vein to the heart through the inferior vena cava. The iliac artery supplies the pelvis and legs, not the kidneys, and while the aorta carries blood from the heart to the body, the specific vessel that reaches the kidney is the renal artery.