Variations of posterior branch of renal artery course in humans

Background:To investigate variations in the course of the posterior branch of the renal artery.Material/Methods: 200 corrosion casts of renal arteries and urinary outflow structures were obtained and studied. Variations in the origin of the posterior branch of renal artery, its entrance to the renal hilus and sinus, as well as its relation to minor and major renal calyces and the renal pelvis were categorized.Results: In 63% of the specimens, the posterior branch of the renal artery ran adjacent to the posterior wall of the renal pelvis, in 18% it crossed superiorly the wall of superior renal calyx, in 11% it ran along almost its total course posteriorly to the posterior labium of the renal hilum, in 7%, it was located extrarenally, and in 1%, it crossed inferiorly to the wall of superior renal calyx.Conclusions: We observed five major variations in the course of the posterior renal artery. Knowledge of these variations may play an important role in percutaneous biopsy and surgery of the kidney.

Keywords: Kidney, posterior branch of renal artery, Anatomical variations, corrosion casts