In clinical anatomy, the renal venous system is relatively understudied compared to the arterial system. This investigation aims to clarify and update the variable patterns of the renal venous vasculature using cadaveric human (adult and foetal) and Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) kidneys and to reflect on its clinical application, particularly in surgery and radiology. The study employed gross anatomical dissection and detailed morphometric and statistical analyses on resin cast and plastinated kidneys harvested from 211 adult, 20 foetal and 10 baboon cadavers. Radiological techniques were used to study intrarenal flow, renal veins and collateral pathways and renal vein valves. The gross anatomical description of the renal veins and its relations were confirmed and updated. Additional renal veins were observed much more frequently on the right side (31 %) than previously documented (15.4%). A practical classification system for the renal veins based on the number of primary tributaries, additional renal veins and anomalies is proposed. Detailed morphometric analyses of the various parameters of the renal veins corroborated and augmented previous anatomical studies. Contrary to standard anatomical textbooks, it was noted that the left renal vein is 2.5 times the length of its counterpart and that there are variable levels of entry of the renal veins into the IVC. Justification for the distal segment of the left renal vein to be termed the surgical trunk, and the proximal segment to be the homologue of the right renal vein is presented. Radiological investigations demonstrated a non-segmental and non-lobar intrarenal venous architecture, an absence of renal vein valves and extensive venous collaterals centering on the left renal vein. These collateral channels, present in the foetus, and persisting in the adult, may be operative and of clinical significance in pathological states. No sex differences and no race differences of note were recorded in this study. The Chacma baboon displayed similar intra-renal venous anatomy. The applied clinical anatomy of these findings with particular regard to renal surgery and uro-radiology is emphasised. / Thesis (M.D.)-University of Natal, 1993.

Recent investigations into the permeability of the kidney capillaries have produced conflicting reports. This study was an attempt to better describe the permeability of the kidney capillaries by using narrow-range macromolecular dextran fractions in four molecular sizes: MW 61,400, MW 77,000, MW 118,000, and MW 147,000. Permeability was measured by dextran concentration differences in plasma and kidney lymph. Permeability decreased as the dextran molecular weight increased. Molecular weights 61,400 and 77,000 penetrated into the kidney lymph. Molecular weight 118,000 exhibited greater difficulty in penetrating to the lymph. The largest fraction penetrated into the kidney lymph with greatest difficulty. Plasma expansion by saline infusion increased the permeability of all dextran fractions.

Abstract not available

Abstract not available