Testicular Artery Arching Over Renal Vein: Clinical and Pathological Considerations With Special Reference to Varicocele

SUMMARY 1. In a series of dissections performed on fifty bodies it was found that the testicular artery on one or other side (16 per cent. on the left, 4 per cent. on the right) takes a recurrent course and describes an arch over the renal vein. The testicular artery having such a course is referred to in this work as the “arched testicular artery.” 2. The arched testicular artery frequently gives branches to the suprarenal gland. 3. In two left‐sided cases a localised constriction of the renal vein was found where it was crossed by the arched testicular artery. In one of these cases a pronounced varicocele was present on the same side. 4. The possible role of the arched testicular artery in the pathogenesis of varicocele and orthostatic albuminuria is discussed. 5. The possible danger of injury to the arched testicular artery and to its suprarenal branches in the course of nephrectomy is considered.