Anatomical study of the renal excretory system in pigs. A review of its characteristics as compared to its human counterpart

Abstract

(Folia Morphol 2017; 76, 2: 262-268)

Image-guided study of swine anatomy as a tool for urologic surgery research and training

“…In this study, the mean renal length was 9.85 cm on the right and 10.30 cm on the left; these dimensions were close to those reported for humans by Gómez et al . 7 and Arenas et al . 5 who, after surgical dissection in pigs of various breeds weighing between 85 and 95 kg, identified an average length of 12 cm.…”

“…The morphometric similarities between human and swine kidneys have been widely described 4 , 5 , 7 . In adult humans, the average kidney length varies between 10.5 and 11.1 cm and discrete differences may occur in the sides 41 , 42 .…”

“…These measurements are similar to those described by Gómez et al . 7 , who identified the average cranial pole width of 5.66 cm on the right and 5.72 cm on the left and caudal pole width of 5.26 cm on the right and 5.21 cm on the left. The average dimensions in humans are 6.44 and 5.49 cm for the cranial and caudal poles, respectively.…”

“…The literature presents anatomical descriptions of the swine urinary system, addressing the pyelocaliceal system 7 , 13 , extra and intrarenal vascularization 4 , 5 , the ureters 14 and the urethra 15 , as well as studies of comparative anatomy. Most of these descriptions were based on surgical dissection, plastination and invasive exams, such as angiography, with a few studies using more modern noninvasive imaging methods, like multislice computed tomography (CT).…”

“…Anatomical and physiological similarities of various systems, such as the urinary and circulatory, that exist between pigs and humans, combined with the wide availability and reasonable prices, make these animals a good option for research models and training in surgery [3][4][5][6][7] .…”