¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Medical Definition of Vasa recta
1. Straight vessels into which the efferent arteriole of the juxtamedullary glomeruli breaks up; they form a leash of vessels which, arising at the bases of the pyramids, run through the renal medulla toward the apex of each pyramid, then reverse direction in a hairpin turn, and run straight back again toward the base of the pyramid as venae rectae. Synonym: straight seminiferous tubule. Synonym: arteriolae rectae. (05 Mar 2000)