Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2025

Use of a Hanging-weight System for Isolated Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: July 19, 2011
Exploring the occurrence and clinical implications of accessory renal arteries: A descriptive study in South Indian
Manju Bhashini Manoharan1, Raviraj Kuppusamy1, Manickam Subramanian2
1Department of Anatomy, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education.
Introduction:
Renal arteries vary in their number and arrangement. Accessory renal arteries (ARA), termed by various names in the literature, can arise from different arterial sources and may be single, double, or multiple. Understanding these variations is essential for various medical procedures.
Aim:
To determine the presence of ARA in the cadavers of South Indian origin and their origin and termination and to discuss its relevant clinical anatomy.
Materials And Methods:
This descriptive study utilized 36 adult cadavers of South Indian origin aged between 50 and 80 years. The ARA observed were classified according to their origin and termination. The Chi-square test was used to determine the variation in the distribution of accessory arteries between the sides.
Results:
Among the 72 kidneys examined, 27.7% had ARA, with a left-sided preponderance. Most accessory arteries had an aortic origin and hilar or superior polar termination. Various forms of accessory arteries were observed, including those entering the anterior surface of the kidney, a rare phenomenon.
Conclusion:
The incidence of accessory arteries supplying the kidney emphasizes the importance of understanding renal vascular anatomy for clinical practice. Anatomical variations play a crucial role in selecting donors for renal transplantation and during various renal interventional procedures.
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...
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...
Kidney Structure
Anatomy of the Circulatory System
Arteries of the Upper Limbs

