Morphology and morphometry of the renal artery and its variations

Abstract

Aim: To study of the morphology and the morphometry of renal artery and its variations in the branching pattern of the renal artery in the cadavers. Introduction: The kidneys are pair of essential excretory organs which elaborate urine and eliminate nitrogenous waste products of protein metabolism from the blood and maintain electrolyte and water balance of the body. Each kidney is situated retroperitoneally in the posterior abdominal wall by the side of the vertebral column, extends from T12 to L3 vertebra. Right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney due to the presence of liver. The structures passing through renal hilum antero posteriorly are renal vein, renal artery and renal pelvis. Variations in renal vessels are mainly due to various developmental positions of the kidneys. Renal artery variations are becoming more important due to the gradual increase in interventional radiological procedures, urological and vascular operations, and renal transplantation.  Methods: The present study was carried out in 50 specimens obtained from formalin preserved human cadavers, and studied by dissection method. The Renal arteries were and their branching pattern were noted then, photographed, and numbered the abnormalities if any were noted.