Bilateral multiple renal vessels: a case report

The kidneys receive arterial supply from the paired renal arteries. During routine dissection we observed in an adult male cadaver the following variation. Bilateral variation is seen in 5%-10% of individuals. The right kidney was receiving 3 renal arteries. Two were arising from the abdominal aorta just below the origin of superior mesenteric artery and the 3(rd) artery was arising from aorta, below the origin of Inferior Mesenteric artery. The left kidney received 2 renal arteries, both arising from aorta at a lower level than right, just below the origin of superior mesenteric artery. On the right side, 2 renal veins were independently draining into inferior vena cava. It is important to be able to depict all accessory renal arteries, because accessory renal arteries are end arteries.The main clinical significance of arteries entering the lower pole is that they may obstruct the ureter and lead to hydronephrosis. It is important to consider these results while using non-angiographic, non-invasive methods for investigating renal artery stenosis, as well as, during surgeries related to renal arteries.