Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Mar;52(1):105-107. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.105.

Unique variation of the left testicular artery passing through a vascular hiatus in renal vein

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. naveentonse@gmail.com

Abstract

Surgeons should have a thorough knowledge regarding the morphologic variations of the testicular arteries as any injury to this artery during surgery might cause testicular atrophy. We report in here an unusual course of left testicular artery and discuss its embryological basis and its clinical implications. The left testicular artery had a high origin from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta at the level of origin of renal artery. In its further course, the left testicular artery passed through a hiatus present in the left renal vein. This unusual course of the testicular artery through the vascular hiatus might lead to its entrapment and is worth reporting in efforts to educate clinicians involved in abdominal and urogenital surgical procedures.

Keyword

Testicular artery; Renal veins; Testis; Hiatus

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Abdominal
Arteries*
Atrophy
Renal Artery
Renal Veins*
Surgeons
Testis
Urogenital Surgical Procedures

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Dissection of the abdomen showing the left testicular artery (LTA) passing through a vascular hiatus in left renal vein (LRV). AA, abdominal aorta; LK, left kidney; LS, left suprarenal gland; LTV, left testicular vein; LU, left ureter; SMA, superior mesenteric artery.

  • Fig. 2 Schematic diagram showing the course of left testicular artery (LTA) through a hiatus in left renal vein (LRV). AA, abdominal aorta; IVC, inferior vena cava; LK, left kidney; LRA, left renal artery; LS, left suprarenal gland; LSV, left supra renal vein; LTV, left testicular vein; LU, left ureter; RTA, right testicular artery.


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