The kidneys are innervated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system.

The main source of nerves supplying the kidneys is the renal plexus, a network of nerve fibers originating from different sources, including the celiac ganglia and celiac plexus, aorticorenal ganglia, splanchnic nerves, and the aortic plexus.

The renal plexus surrounds arterial blood vessels and enters the kidneys along with them to supply the renal vessels, glomeruli, and tubules.

The vasomotor supply is provided via the thoracolumbar splanchnic nerves (those arising from spinal cord segments T10 to L2).

The kidneys also receive innervation from the vagus nerve (CN X) via its renal branches, as well as from fibers arising from the intermesenteric plexus (S2 to S4).

There are also afferent fibers that convey pain sensations, traveling from the kidneys along the sympathetic pathway. These fibers travel via the celiac plexus to the sympathetic trunk carried by the splanchnic nerves (greater and lesser splanchnic nerves).

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Innervation of the kidneys