Is it common to see multiple renal arteries bilaterally?

Seeing multiple renal arteries bilaterally is indeed a recognized anatomical variation. In fact, a significant percentage of the population has accessory renal arteries, which are additional renal arteries that supply blood to the kidneys alongside the main renal artery. Research indicates that approximately 20-30% of individuals can have these variations, making it not uncommon at all to encounter bilateral multiple renal arteries.

Furthermore, the presence of multiple renal arteries can be attributed to embryological development, where the kidneys receive blood supply from multiple sources during early growth, and some of these vessels can persist into adulthood. Awareness of this anatomical variation is crucial in ultrasound vascular imaging, as it impacts surgical planning and the assessment of renal blood flow.

Understanding this prevalence is fundamental for clinicians and sonographers to recognize and interpret the presence of accessory arteries accurately during examinations.