PURPOSE: To determine the in situ location and distribution of the ren
al artery origins in the transverse plane with computed tomography (CT
). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of the paired main renal arteries i
n 200 patients (89 men, 111 women) were retrospectively reviewed. The
locations of the renal artery origins, defined on the basis of their o
ptimal profile angles, and the angle between them were measured. The d
egree of aortic atherosclerosis was graded in 119 of the 200 patients.
RESULTS: The origins of 400 paired main renal arteries were identifie
d. A statistically significant difference was found between the averag
e best profile angle on the right (24 degrees [range, 26 degrees-70 de
grees]) and that on the left (5 degrees [range, -75 degrees to 38 degr
ees]) (P < .001). Truly laterally located renal arteries were seen on
the right in 11 (5%) of 200 right renal arteries and on the left in 56
(28%) of 200 left renal arteries. One hundred eighty-six (93%) of 200
right ostia and only 40 (20%) of 200 left ostia were in an anterolate
ral location. One hundred four (52%) of 200 left ostia and three (2%)
of 200 right ostia were in a posterolateral location. The prevalence o
f truly opposite renal arteries was 17%. The average profile angle bet
ween the renal artery origins was 161 degrees (range, 72 degrees-225 d
egrees) and was significantly larger in women (P = .001). No relations
hip was found between ostial location and patient age or atherosclerot
ic grade. CONCLUSION: In the transverse plane, the location of the ori
gin of the right renal artery tended to be anterolateral and of the le
ft renal artery tended to be posterolateral or lateral. The variation
in location and distribution width was great.