Distribution and Variations of Foetal Renal Arteries: A Morphological Study

Introduction: Renal vascularisation variants differ significantly between individuals due to the complex embryogenesis of the kidneys. Understanding the anatomy of the renal vascular pattern is essential for conducting various procedures such as renal transplantation, interventional radiological procedures, nephrectomy, and renal vascular segmental operations more safely and efficiently. Aim: The aim of this study was to comprehensively identify the normal foetal renal artery and variations within multiple renal arteries, as well as to highlight the connections between the presence of accessory renal arteries and the coexistence of other variants of renal vascularisation in human foetuses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional morphological study was conducted at GMC Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India from August 2016 to September 2022. With the guardian’s consent, 65 formally fixed normal human foetuses were studied for their embryological and clinical correlation. Dissections of the foetuses were performed to achieve better visualisation of the foetal kidneys and renal arteries. The origin, insertion, and number of renal arteries, including polar and hilar arteries, were counted in situ. Results: Out of 130 foetal kidneys (both male and female), a single main renal artery was observed in 88 cases (67.69%), while multiple renal arteries were present in 42 cases (32.3%). The number of hilar arteries was 22 (16.9%), and polar arteries were noted in 20 cases (15.3%). The incidence of multiple renal arteries was more common in male foetuses and occurred predominantly at the upper pole of the right kidney. Ninety percent of the arteries originated from the abdominal aorta. Conclusion: A thorough understanding of the branching pattern and the correct number of renal arteries is of great importance for urologists, interventional radiologists, nephrologists, and vascular surgeons to provide accurate diagnosis, effective treatments,