A unique right gonadal artery origin and course with embryological implications: case report

BACKGROUND: The gonadal arteries are highly variable vascular structures responsible for supplying blood to the testes and ovaries. Although a standard description of these vessels is typically given in medical texts, variations in number, origin, and course are well documented. Here, we review the literature, report an unusual origin and course of a right gonadal artery (RGA), and discuss these findings in the context of embryological hypotheses of RGA course in relation to inferior vena cava (IVC) development. CASE REPORT: During routine dissection of an 80-year-old female donor, the RGA was found to originate from the cranial aspect of the right renal artery posterior to the left renal vein. From this position it emerged inferior to the left renal vein and coursed anterior to the IVC where it began to course with the left gonadal vein. The left gonadal artery presented with the typical origin and course. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this case provides the third reported instance in the literature of an RGA originating at the level of or above the left renal vein and passing anterior to the IVC.