A Cadaveric Study about the Anomolous Origin of Testicular Arteries Arising from the Accessory Renal Arteries

Abstract

Testicular arteries are paired vessels, arising from the abdominal aorta, at the level of second lumbar vertebra. Variations in the origin of these vessels highlight a potential importance regarding the vascular supply to the gonads and kidneys. This study was designed to assess the variations in the origin, course, and distance about the point of origin of the testicular arteries. The posterior abdominal walls of 40 male cadavers were studied on either side, during routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. A majority had a normal course and the variations were reported as: a) Bilateral origin of gonadal arteries from accessory renal arteries, b) Unilateral origin of the gonadal artery from the left accessory renal artery, and c) Unique origin of the right testicular artery from the right inferior epigastric artery and left testicular artery from descending thoracic aorta above the aortic opening of the diaphragm. Due to the embryological attribution, these variations in the testicular arteries indicate an alarming threat to the radiologists and surgeons during renal transplants and nephrectomies, as these vessels monopolize the vascular supply to the gonads. This study was undertaken to document the incidence of testicular arteries originating from accessory renal arteries.

Bilateral double testicular arteries: a case report and review of the literature. Potential embryological and surgical considerations

“…It is noteworthy that Mamatha et al [24] noticed that in 20% of their specimens the variable TAs were associated with accessory renal arteries. In specific, most of these aberrant TAs were originated solely from accessory renal arteries and not main renal arteries.…”

“…Felix [13] found TA's variation incidence being 16/180 (0.09%) in a material of human fetuses. Moreover Mamatha et al [24] found TAs variations in 20%, with the rest cases being normal in their origin, course and number. However, TA's variants regarding their number as well as their course are considered less frequent than the variations of the TVs [5].…”

“…The ratio of common origin for the TA and the suprarenal artery has been estimated approximately 1:26 [2]. Very rarely, TA may arise from the thoracic aorta [24] or from an anomalous middle mesenteric artery [28]. Furthermore, rarely, TA may provide branches, such as the inferior phrenic and the superior suprarenal arteries [30].…”

“…These TA's variations have been estimated in an incidence of 4.7-20% [5,22,24,40]. These aberrancies display significance from a clinical viewpoint since the TA's blood flow was found to be significantly decreased in men with varicocele [46].…”