A peculiar accessory renal artery giving origin to the left testicular artery

Abstract

The occurrence of the accessory left renal artery (ALR) and its giving origin to the left testicular artery (LTA) is not a common variation. We report a rare type of course and branching of an ALR which was observed in an approximately 65-year-old male cadaver of the Indian origin. The left kidney (LK) was supplied by two renal arteries (RA). The main RA arose from the abdominal aorta (AA) and then reached the LK by passing above the renal vein. It gave three segmental branches before entering into the hilum. The ALR was smaller in size than the main RA and it arose from the AA below the level of the main RA. It hooked around the left renal vein (LRV) and entered into the hilum without branching, passing posterior the renal vein. ARA presented a peculiar S shape in its course. Further, the ALR gave origin to LTA at its middle segment. The LRV was normal in formation, course and drainage. Knowledge of the unusual perihilar vascular variations of the kidney is of significance during the radiologic and angiographic and surgical procedures.

Keywords

• Accessory renal artery
• left testicular artery
• left kidney