Morphological variability of arterial sources of the renal polar parenchyma and its clinical importance

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2015;56(4):1403-9.

Abstract

A sample of 250 kidneys (200 corrosion casts and 50 dissection pieces) provided the basis for the analysis of the number, source, origin point and parenchymal penetration of the arterial branches supplying the two renal poles. Of the studied pieces, 76.80% had a single renal artery, while 23.20% had multiple renal arteries. The superior pole had only one arterial source in 95.20% of cases, and the inferior pole had only one arterial source in 97.20% of cases. The arteries supplying the superior pole originated from one of the renal artery's branches in 59.60% of cases and from its' main trunk in 17.20% of cases. They were also found to originate from branches of the multiple renal arteries in 18% of cases and from the abdominal aorta (5.20% of cases - inferior polar arteries). The arteries supplying the inferior pole arose in similar fashion - from the single renal artery's trunk in 9.20% of cases; from its division branches in 66.40% of cases; from the abdominal aorta in 9.60% of cases and from branches of multiple renal arteries in 14.80% of cases. Familiarity with the renal arteries' morphological variability is becoming increasingly important, as new urologic surgical and radiological techniques develop.

MeSH terms

  • Corrosion Casting
  • Dissection
  • Humans
  • Kidney / abnormalities*
  • Kidney / blood supply*
  • Renal Artery / abnormalities*