[Anatomical study of triple renal arteries]

Within an 8 year study of the renal blood supply, the authors assessed 14 cases of triple renal arteries, 2 of them bilaterally (both on human fetuses), so a total of 16 triple renal arteries. Among the 14 cases of unilateral triple renal arteries, 8 were placed on the left side. In what concerns the caliber, the renal artery that enters the kidney through the hilum is usually greater than the others; in only three fetal samples the triple renal arteries were almost equal in caliber. Concerning the arterial traject, in 5 of the cases, two of the three renal arteries crossed one another; this aspect was assessed in first two arteries (2 cases) and last two arteries (3 cases). In 3 cases, the triple renal arteries were accompanied by double renal arteries on the opposite side. The almost parallel traject of the triple renal arteries was assessed in only 3 cases.