Unusual origin and course of the testicular arteries.
BACKGROUND
The testicular arteries usually arise from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta just inferior to the renal arteries at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. However, they may also originate from the renal artery, middle suprarenal artery, one of the lumbar arteries, common or internal iliac artery, or the superior epigastric artery.


METHODS
An unusual origin of the right testicular artery and an unusual course of the left one were observed during routine dissection of the retroperitoneal space of a 43-year-old male cadaver.


RESULTS
The right testicular artery originated from the inferior segmental branch of the right renal artery. After the left testicular artery originated from the anterolateral surface of the abdominal aorta just inferior to the left renal artery it was located between the left renal vein and the left renal artery and descended anterior to the renal vein. Thereafter it coursed on its normal route distally with the testicular vein.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of variations of the testicular arteries, such as that shown in this case, is important during surgical and radiological procedures pertaining to kidney.
Acar
Halil Ibrahim
HI
Department of Anatomy, Ankara University School of Medicine, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. drhalilacar@yahoo.com
Yazar
Fatih
F
Ozan
Hasan
H
D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply*