Anomalous origin of left testicular artery from an additional renal artery

Gonadal arteries arising from additional renal arteries present an important variation that should be noted in order to avoid inadvertent injury to these vessels in renal hilar dissection and retroperitoneal surgery. During routine dissection, we observed the unusual origin of the left testicular artery from an additional renal artery in a middle-aged male cadaver. The prevalence of variations in the origin and course of the testicular artery displays population differences. Though additional renal arteries have been reported in literature, cases of such vessels giving rise to gonadal vessels are scarce. The possible embryologic basis for this variation as well as its clinical significance are discussed. Key words: Variations, renal arteries