Anat Cell Biol.  2014 Sep;47(3):214-216. 10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.214.

Eight prehilar branches of the right renal artery

• Nayak SB
• Shetty SD
• Ravindra S
• Sirasanagandla SR
• Aithal AP
• Patil J
• Kumar N

• KMID: 1882599
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.214

Abstract

Imaging technology with its advancement in the field of urology is the boon for the patients who require minimally invasive approaches for various kidney disorders. These approaches require a precise knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy of vessels at the hilum of the kidney. During routine dissections, a variation in the branching pattern of the right renal artery was noted in an adult male cadaver. The right renal artery divided into upper and lower divisions 6cm away from the hilum of the kidney. The upper division gave 4 branches, and the lower division gave two branches. These two branches further bifurcated and gave 2 branches each. Thus, there were 8 prehilar branches of renal artery. The multiple prehilar branches led to a congested atmosphere at the hilum of the kidney. This arterial congestion might result in hindering the blood flow at the renal hilum. Apart from this, it might cause difficulties in diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures. Knowledge of this variation is of importance to radiologists and urologists in particular.

Keyword

Kidney; Renal artery; Hilum of the kidney; Kidney pelvis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Atmosphere
Cadaver
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Humans
Kidney
Kidney Pelvis
Male
Renal Artery*
Urology
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Anterior view of the renal hilum showing the branches of right renal artery. AA, aberrant branches; IVC, inferior vena cava; LD, lower division of renal artery; RK, right kidney; RISA, right inferior suprarenal artery; RRA, right renal artery; RSG, right suprarenal gland; UD, upper division of the renal artery.

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  Fig. 2 Anterior view of the renal hilum showing all the eight branches of right renal artery. AA, abdominal aorta; IVC, inferior vena cava; LD, lower division of renal artery; RK, right kidney; RRA, right renal artery; RRV, right renal vein; RSG, right suprarenal gland; UD, upper division of the renal artery.

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  Fig. 3 Anterior inferior view of the renal hilum showing the branches of renal artery (asterisks). IVC, inferior vena cava; RGV, right gonadal vessels; RLL, right lobe of liver; RK, right kidney; RPM, right psoas major; RRV, right renal vein; RU, right ureter.

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