title: High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 300, Postal Code 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece. g_paraskevas@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Paraskevas
authors.forename: Orestis
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ioannidis
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raikos
authors.forename: Basileios
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Papaziogas
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natsis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spyridakis
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kitsoulis