BRANCHING PATTERNS OF THE RENAL-ARTERY OF THE PIG

Background: The pig kidney is similar in structure and function to the human kidney, thus making it a useful model in understanding the huma n kidney in health and disease. However, little is known about the bra nching pattern of the pig renal artery as compared with the human and other animals. Methods: The right and left kidneys from 11 juvenile pi gs were injected with either Mercox compound to form a vascular cast o r contrast media to obtain a renal arteriogram. Branching patterns of the renal artery were then examined to the level of the interlobar art eries. Results: Examination of all 22 kidneys showed the main stem ren al artery branching into two predictable patterns, designated I and II , The renal artery in pattern I (17 of 22 kidneys) divides into upper and lower polar arteries that then form anterior and posterior segment al arteries. Pattern I has two variations. Pattern II (5 of 22 kidneys ) has a variable blood flow to the upper pole. Not only do anterior an d posterior segmental arteries pass to the upper pole, but additional vessels arising from the lower polar artery also supply the upper pole . Conclusions: The most common branching pattern of the main stem rena l artery is pattern I, which divides the blood flow of the entire kidn ey into two distinct regions. Pattern II is less frequently seen and s hows more variability in number and location of branches. (C) 1996 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.