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. 2011 Feb 23:5:75.
doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-5-75.

High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature

George K Paraskevas  1 , Orestis Ioannidis, Athanasios Raikos, Basileios Papaziogas, Konstantinos Natsis, Ioannis Spyridakis, Panagiotis Kitsoulis
Affiliations

High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature

George K Paraskevas et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Although variations in the origin of the testicular artery are not uncommon, few reports about a high origin from the abdominal aorta exist in the literature. We discuss the case of a high origin of the testicular artery, its embryology, classification systems, and its clinical significance.

Case presentation: We report a very rare case of high origin of the left testicular artery in a 68-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. The artery originated from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta, 2 cm cranially to the ipsilateral renal artery. Approximately 1 cm after its origin, it branched off into the inferior suprarenal artery. During its course, the artery crossed anterior to the left renal artery.

Conclusions: A knowledge of the variant origin of the testicular artery is important during renal and testicular surgery. The origin and course must be carefully identified in order to preserve normal blood circulation and prevent testicular atrophy. A reduction in gonadal blood flow may lead to varicocele under circumstances. A knowledge of this variant anatomy may be of interest to radiologists and helpful in avoiding diagnostic errors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The left testicular artery (TA) arose from the abdominal aorta (AA), superior to the left renal artery (LRA). After its origin, it branched off to the inferior suprarenal artery (SA) and then descended inferiorly, passing over the left renal artery (SG: suprarenal gland, LK: left kidney, U: ureter).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A schematic representation of Figure 1 (SG: suprarenal gland, LK: left kidney, RA: renal artery).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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