Variation of hilar anatomy in an incompletely rotated kidney associated with accessory renal vessels

Abstract

An incompletely rotated left kidney, with variations in the hilar anatomy associated with accessory renal vessels was seen during routine undergraduate dissection in an adult male cadaver. The left kidney showed three accessory renal vessels. Two renal arteries and one vein entered the lower pole of left kidney. The hilum of the kidney was anteriorly faced and was close to the upper pole, with the ureter running on the anterior surface of the kidney. This was associated with variation in the arrangement of the structures at the hilum. Structures found at the hilum from superficial to deep were: The ureter, one renal vein, and two renal arteries. The ureter was anteroinferior and lateral to the renal vein. The renal arteries were posterosuperior and posteroinferior to the renal vein. The rotational anomaly associated with the presence of accessory renal vessels assumes importance while performing percutaneous procedures in relation to the kidney, screening of donors, and also during interpretation of various radiological diagnostic procedures related to the kidney.

Keywords

• Accessory renal vessels
• incompletely rotated kidney
• polar artery
• renal hilar anatomy