Eur J Anat, 13 (3): 145-153 (2009)

Analysis of renal hilum extraparenchymal structures in Brazilian adult human cadavers

Pereira-Correia J.A., Valentim L.S., Castro K.F., Gasque G.P., Rosario C.A.F., Prinz R.A.D.

Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT Anatomical knowledge of the exact topography of the renal hilar structures is of great importance when performing urological surgical procedures. Classically, the topographic distribution of hilar structures has been described in the antero-posterior direction as the renal vein-artery-pelvis complex. However, morphological studies have reported different dispositions. One hundred and thirteen renal hila from adult Brazilian human cadavers were dissected. The topographic analysis of hilar structures disposition was made at a distance of approximately 0.5 cm from the anterior border of the renal hilum, conserving the antero-posterior distribution. Only the renal artery, renal vein and renal pelvis were considered. The following antero-posterior distributions were observed: 94 (83%) presented the classic topographic organization: renal vein - renal artery - renal pelvis; 3 left kidneys (3%) presented the renal «vein-pelvis-artery» disposition; 3 kidneys (3%) presented the renal «artery-vein-pelvis» disposition; 1 left kidney (1%) presented the renal «artery-pelvis-vein» disposition; 12 kidneys (10%) presented an undefined organization of hilar structures. An atypical distribution of segmentary arteries related to renal hilar structures was found. We believe this study may contribute to a better knowledge of the topographical organization of the renal hilum, which is a region frequently involved in surgical dissection during urological surgical procedures of the kidney.

Keywords: article, Brazil, dissection, human, human tissue, kidney calyx, kidney parenchyma, kidney pelvis, kidney vein, urologic surgery