Terminal Bifurcation of the Right Testicular Vein and Left Testicular Arterio-Venous Anastomosis

Abstract

The testis is the organ upon which the survival of the human species depends. Abnormalities of testicular vessels may lead to loss of gametogenesis and hormone production. Reported here is a case of bilateral variations of the testicular vessels observed in a male cadaver during the first year MBBS dissection classes. The right testicular vein bifurcated into two veins just before its termination and both the branches terminated into the inferior vena cava. The left testicular artery arose from the abdominal aorta just above the level of origin of the inferior mesenteric artery. There was an arterio-venous anastomosis between the left testicular vein and the left testicular artery. The arterio-venous anastomosis might be functionally important as it can change the quality of the blood entering the testis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i2.12496 Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.11(2) 2013: 168-170

Variations of Gonadal Veins: Embryological Prospective and Clinical Significance

“…This anomaly might predispose to varicocele on right side. After detailed research of the literature, a case report by Nayak et al, [20] has been found regarding combination of abnormal termination of the right testicular veins in right renal vein and IVC both, as seen in [ [20] suggested that the right testicular vein develops from the lower part of the right sub cardinal vein. The terminal bifurcation of the right testicular vein might be due to the bifurcation of the right sub cardinal vein, during its development.…”

“…If the blood is shunted to the vein from the artery through this anastomosis, it might hinder the upward flow of blood in the vein, resulting in Varicocele. If the blood is shunted from the vein to the artery, that might result in lack of proper oxygen supply to the testis resulting in its decreased function or degeneration [20].…”

Abnormal Pattern of Renal and Gonadal Veins and Its Developmental Correlation

“…Variations in the terminations of the testicular veins have also been reported. Nayak et al [16], has found terminal bifurcation of the single right testicular vein into two, each opening into IVC. In another study, right testicular vein showed an abnormal termination in right renal vein instead of inferior vena cava [17].…”

Cadaveric study of mode of termination of gonadal veins: Implications for procedures utilizing terminal ends of gonadal veins as entry portals

“…Some isolated reports documenting gonadal vein anatomy[67891011121314151617] indicate the frequent occurrence of variations, which are not adequately described in the standard texts of anatomy. [1819] Few anatomical studies available have documented variations in western[5202122] and black[23] population.…”