|
Medical Definition of Renal veins
1. Large veins formed at the renal hilus by the merger of the segmental veins anterior to the corresponding arteries; they open at right angles into the inferior vena cava at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. The left renal vein receives the left suprarenal vein and the left gonadal vein, and passes through the angle between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery where it may be compressed. Synonym: venae renales. (05 Mar 2000)