Extra Hilar Branching of Renal Arteries: An Anatomical Study.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The objective of this study was to observe the patterns of different arteries that supply the kidneys. The kidney has a segmental distribution of arteries. The kidneys are divided into five vascular segments. The arteries that arise from the aorta above or below the main renal artery and reach the hilum are called accessory renal arteries. They are persistent embryonic lateral splanchnic arteries. Accessory renal arteries may arise from the celiac or superior mesenteric arteries, near the bifurcation or from the common iliac arteries. The present study has attempted to find out accessory, and aberrant arteries to kidneys with review of literature. Materials and Methods: The study was done on 52 kidneys randomly selected from cadavers that were used for the purpose of teaching in the department of Anatomy at P.E.S Medical College. The kidneys were removed from the cadavers en-block with the arteries and veins intact. The renal artery was observed for its pattern of branching. Observations and Discussion: The pre-hilar branching pattern was absent only in six kidneys out of the 52 kidneys selected. The branches given before entering the hilum were either in the form of a fork pattern or a ladder pattern in the remaining 46 kidneys. The fork pattern wherein the branches arose from a single point was found in 42 kidneys. The ladder patterns were seen in two posterior segment arteries and two anterior segment arteries. The anterior division often showed the fork patterns which were either duplicate or triplicate outside the hilum more proximally, with further division into duplicate or triplicate terminal branches closer to the hilum but significantly outside.