Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches
Published on: September 5, 2025
Anatomical Variations of Upper Segmental Renal Artery and Clinical Significance
Gyan Prakash Mishra1, Shobha Bhatnagar2, Brijendra Singh3
1Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Career Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospitals , Lucknow, India .
Introduction:
Classically each kidney is supplied by a single renal artery. In its course renal artery divides into anterior and posterior division, both of these division further divide into segmental arteries that are apical, upper, middle, lower and posterior. Segmental arteries are representing an end artery and they form independent renal segments. In their course they are closely related with collecting system. So, a thorough in depth knowledge of the variations in segmental arteries is a basic requirement for surgeons.
Aim:
To observe and investigate the anatomical variations in arterial pattern of upper segmental renal artery and its relations with collecting system of ducts in human kidneys.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty human kidneys of both sexes were observed and studied by corrosion cast method. Different colour coded cast material (butyl butyrate) like red for artery and black for collecting ducts were used. 20% solution of butyl butyrate in acetone was injected into renal artery and ureter of the kidneys. After polymerization (24 hours) these kidneys were kept immersed in a bath of concentrated KOH solution at 50(0)C for 24-48 hours for corrosion to obtain the endocasts. These endocasts were cleaned and washed under running tap water and photographed.
Results:
In present study upper segmental artery was found in 49 (98%) kidneys. It was absent in 1 (2%) kidney. We observed four types of variations in arterial pattern of upper segmental artery namely Upper Segmental Artery Type-1 (USAT1), Upper Segmental Artery Type-2 (USAT2), Upper Segmental Artery Type-3 (USAT3), Upper Segmental Artery Type-4 (USAT4) and they were found in 20 (40%), 14 (28%), 10 (20%), 5 (10%) kidneys respectively. We also observed two different variations in the anatomical relations between upper segmental artery and collecting system namely Upper Segmental Artery Group -1 (USAG1) and Upper Segmental Artery Group-2 (USAG2). USAG1 was found in 40 (80%) kidneys and USAG2 in 9 (18%) kidneys respectively.
Conclusion:
Anatomical knowledge of these variations is very important and useful for the uro-surgeons for best outcome and minimal complications in and during nephrectomies, removal of calculi, surgery of renal tumors or other various intrarenal surgeries.
Related Concept Videos
Blood and Nerve Supply to the Kidney
Bloody Supply to the Kidneys:
The kidneys receive their blood supply from the renal arteries, which branch off from the abdominal aorta—the main artery supplying the abdomen and lower body. The renal arteries enter the kidneys at the hilum, a notch on the medial side of...
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
External Anatomy of the Kidney
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...

