A STUDY ON BRANCHING PATTERN OF RENAL ARTERIES

Renal artery variations are becoming more important due to the gradual increase in interventional radiological procedures, urological and vascular operations, and renal transplantation. In the present study out of 80kidneys 40(50%) kidneys showed the presence of additional renal arteries. The results are statistically significant. The presence of additional renal arteries was found unilaterally in 14 cadavers and bilaterally in 6 cadavers. In 10 kidneys additional artery towards the superior pole (Superior polar artery) was observed and in 10 kidneys inferior polar arteries were seen. And superior and inferior polar arteries both are present in 20 kidney specimens. In 40 kidney specimens we were found duplicated renal arteries. This multiple renal artery variations are of great clinical significance to radiologists, nephrologists and urologists in imaging and urological procedures.