Expansion
Superior from the inferior phrenic, middle from the aorta, inferior from the renal artery
Expansion
Three arteries, one from each level:
- Superior suprarenal - from the inferior phrenic artery
- Middle suprarenal - directly from the aorta
- Inferior suprarenal - from the renal artery
One vein on each side, and the two drain differently:
- Right adrenal vein - short, draining directly into the inferior vena cava
- Left adrenal vein - longer, draining into the left renal vein
The rich arterial supply reflects the gland’s high metabolic demand relative to its size.
The single short right adrenal vein entering the vena cava at an awkward angle makes right adrenalectomy the more hazardous of the two, and it is the reason adrenal vein sampling for primary hyperaldosteronism is technically harder on the right.