Morphometric analysis of the renal veins

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the vascularisation of the kidney has been the topic of repeated anatomical investigations, statistical analyses, and descriptions, it is surprising to find that there is no unanimity in the literature regarding its detailed morphometry. This information acquires special surgical significance, e.g., in renal transplantation and "shunt" surgery. The purpose of this study was to detail the measurements of the left and right renal veins in morphologically normal kidneys. METHODS: This study detailed the measurements of the renal veins in 100 pairs of morphologically normal cadaveric kidneys. Resin casts of the venous system were prepared and various segments of the renal veins were measured. RESULTS: The lengths and diameters of the renal veins were:-left: 5.9 +/- 1.5 cm and 1.2 +/- 0.2 cm and right: 2.4 +/- 0.7 cm and 1.2 +/- 0.2 cm, respectively. The left renal vein comprised a proximal segment (length: 2.6 cm; diameter: 1.1 cm) and a distal segment (length: 3.2 cm; diameter: 1.2 cm). CONCLUSIONS: This morphometric analysis of the renal veins, which corroborates and augments previous anatomical studies, has embryological and surgical significance.