Suprarenal gland-arterial supply: an embryological basis and applied importance

Abstract

Variation arterial anatomy of suprarenal gland is significant for radiological and surgical interventions. Knowledge of anomalous suprarenal artery is required to avoid complications in surgical procedure. Arterial architecture of human suprarenal gland was studied in sixty-eight cadavers of adult male and female. In all cases, superior suprarenal artery on right side was normal in origin but on left side, 24% showed anomalous origin. The incidence of anomalous origin of middle suprarenal artery on right side was 47% and on left side 6%. Anomalous origin of inferior suprarenal artery on the right side was 29% and left side 35%. The superior suprarenal artery was present in all subjects. However, there was absence of right middle suprarenal artery in 29% and left inferior suprarenal artery in 35% subjects. The most variable group was inferior suprarenal artery. The study result is being described to report anomalous origin of suprarenal arteries in the light of surgical, radiological and embryological significances. Present study findings suggest, thorough knowledge of anomalous arterial anatomy of suprarenal gland is required for surgical and radiological interventions of retroperitoneal organs of upper abdomen to avoid complications.