Anat Cell Biol.  2025 Mar;58(1):140-143. 10.5115/acb.24.203.

Abnormal ramification pattern of the renal and testicular vessels

• Kigata T
• Akakabe Y
• Inoue R
• Kobayashi Y

• KMID: 2565967
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.24.203

Abstract

We demonstrate an aberrant ramification pattern of the renal and testicular vessels. On both sides, the anterior and posterior renal veins emerged from the renal. On the right side, the anterior renal vein collected the right testicular vein and drained into the inferior vena cava, while the posterior one directly drained into the inferior vena cava. Two retrocaval testicular arteries originated from the aorta. On the left side, the perinephric vein drained from the abdominal wall and adrenal gland and joined the anterior renal vein. The anterior renal vein also collected the testicular, suprarenal, and inferior phrenic veins. The posterior one received the other testicular vein and the first three lumbar veins. These renal veins converged, passed anteriorly to the aorta, and drained into the inferior vena cava. Knowledge of the varied anatomy of these vessels will contribute to safe surgical approach to the kidneys.

Keyword

Anatomic variation; Renal artery; Renal veins; Testicular vessels

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Photograph showing anomalous ramification pattern of the renal and testicular vessels in the ventral view. Blue and white arrowheads indicate the superior and inferior testicular arteries, respectively. (B) Schematic drawing of (A). (C) Photograph showing two right TAs in the ventral view. The right ARV and left RVs are resected, and the IVC is reflected inferiorly. (D) Photograph showing the tributaries of the left RV. The left RA was pulled superiorly and left laterally to show the PRV. AA, abdominal aorta; ARV, anterior renal vein; fLV, first lumbar vein; IMA, inferior mesenteric artery; IPA, inferior phrenic artery; IPV, inferior phrenic vein; ITA, inferior testicular artery; IVC, inferior vena cava; LTV, lateral testicular vein; MTV, medial testicular vein; PNV, perinephric vein; PRV, posterior renal vein; RA, renal artery; RV, renal vein; sLV, second lumbar vein; SRB, suprarenal branch; SRV, suprarenal vein; STA, superior testicular artery; TA, testicular artery; tLV, third lumbar vein; TV, testicular vein.

Reference

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