Cluster of variations involving vertebral, renal, and obturator arteries in a single human body- A cadaveric case report

Abstract

We describe a unique triad of arterial variations that include vertebral, renal, and obturator arteries in a single cadaver. A combination of arterial variations was observed in a 60-year male; formalin embalmed cadaver during the routine dissection while teaching undergraduate students. The origin, course, branching pattern, and termination of the vertebral, renal, and obturator arterial systems were noted, along with the vessels' diameter close to their origin. The following variations were observed: a) Hypoplastic V4 segment of the right vertebral artery; Right Posterior Inferior Cerebellar artery had a relatively proximal origin from the V4 segment of vertebral artery and coursed in an inverted ‘U’ shaped manner cranially, which resembled duplicated V4 segment of the right vertebral artery, b) Right accessory renal artery originated from abdominal aorta distal to the right renal artery and the right gonadal artery originated from the right accessory renal artery, c) Right obturator artery originated from the posterior division of the right internal iliac artery, and the left obturator artery originated from the trunk of the left external iliac artery. Such a combination of variations in the anatomy of vertebral, renal, and obturator arteries was not reported previously. This case report will interest neurosurgeons and radiologists because of the possibility of concomitant arterial variations.