Question

Which of the following is the most common renal vascular anomaly?

• A. Supernumerary renal arteries
• B. Supernumerary renal veins
• C. Double renal arteries
• D. Double renal veins

Hint:

Extra embryonic arteries that fail to regress are the commonest renal vessel variant.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall renal vascular embryology. During development the kidney ascends and receives a series of transient lateral splanchnic arteries; normally all but one regress, leaving a single renal artery. If extra branches persist, accessory or supernumerary renal arteries result.

Step 2: Identify the commonest anomaly. Persistence of these extra vessels is frequent, so supernumerary (accessory/aberrant) renal arteries are the most common renal vascular variation, present in roughly a quarter to a third of kidneys in anatomical series.

Step 3: Note clinical relevance. An accessory lower-pole artery can cross and compress the pelviureteric junction and cause hydronephrosis; these vessels are also important during renal transplantation and partial nephrectomy because they are end arteries with no collateral supply.

Step 4: Reject the distractors. Supernumerary and double renal veins exist but are less common than arterial variants, and the term commonly tested as the single most frequent renal vascular anomaly is supernumerary renal arteries.

Answer: Supernumerary renal arteries (Option A).