Straight arterioles of kidney

For the intestinal structure, see Vasa recta (intestines)

In the blood supply of the kidney, the straight arterioles of kidney (or vasa recta renis) are a series of straight capillaries in the medulla (Latin: vasa, "vessels"; recta, "straight"). They lie parallel to the loop of Henle.

These vessels branch off the efferent arterioles of juxtamedullary nephrons (those nephrons closest to the medulla), enter the medulla, and surround the loop of Henle. The straight arterioles are peritubular capillaries, specifically those that surround the loop of Henle.