INTRODUCTION: Renal arteries vary in their number and arrangement. Accessory renal arteries (ARA), termed by various names in the literature, can arise from different arterial sources and may be single, double, or multiple. Understanding these variations is essential for various medical procedures.
AIM: To determine the presence of ARA in the cadavers of South Indian origin and their origin and termination and to discuss its relevant clinical anatomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study utilized 36 adult cadavers of South Indian origin aged between 50 and 80 years. The ARA observed were classified according to their origin and termination. The Chi-square test was used to determine the variation in the distribution of accessory arteries between the sides.
RESULTS: Among the 72 kidneys examined, 27.7% had ARA, with a left-sided preponderance. Most accessory arteries had an aortic origin and hilar or superior polar termination. Various forms of accessory arteries were observed, including those entering the anterior surface of the kidney, a rare phenomenon.
CONCLUSION: The incidence of accessory arteries supplying the kidney emphasizes the importance of understanding renal vascular anatomy for clinical practice. Anatomical variations play a crucial role in selecting donors for renal transplantation and during various renal interventional procedures.
