A Study of Embryological Basis of Variations of Renal Vessels

What is it about?

A Study of Embryological Basis of Variations of Renal Vessels

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Photo by Tom Crew on Unsplash

Photo by Tom Crew on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Kidneys are supplied by a pair of renal arteries which arise from abdominal aorta and branches laterally below the superior mesenteric artery. A single renal artery arising from aorta supplying the corresponding kidney is actually seen in less than 25% of cases. Kidneys are drained by pair renal veins into inferior vena cava. Variations in the number and branching pattern of renal vessels are common. Persistence of lateral splanchnic arteries is the main reason for variation in the number of renal arteries. The different fate of right and left subcardinal and supracardinal anastomosis is responsible for the presence of supernumerary renal veins. Aims and objectives: To study the anomalous pattern of renal vessels and its clinical implications. Materials and methods: We studied 100 cadavers over a period of 3 years for the presence of anomalies of renal vessels. Results: We found 3 cases of double renal arteries all on left side; 2 cases of double renal veins on right side; 1 case of pre-hilar division of renal artery. We also found 2 unusual variations: in the 1st case, inferior phrenic artery arose from right renal artery; in the 2nd case testicular artery arose from left renal artery. Conclusion: Variations in renal vessels can go unnoticed many times and can give rise to a number of clinical manifestations. A thorough knowledge of renal vessels is thus important for radiologic, diagnostic, operative and endovascular procedures.

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