Variation in the position, relation and vasculature of left suprarenal gland: a case report.

A malposition of the left suprarenal gland with varied relations and vasculature was observed in a 50-year-old male cadaver during the routine dissection of the abdominal region. The gland was partly situated over the hilum of the left kidney. Its posterior surface was related to the left crus of the diaphragm and to the hilum of the left kidney extending some distance above on the medial margin of the kidney. Its anterior surface was totally covered by the body of the pancreas and the splenic artery and vein. There were only two suprarenal arteries. A left lateral branch of the aorta divided into three branches of which the middle and inferior branches entered the gland as seperate suprarenal arteries. There were the two suprarenal veins of the gland which were draining into the left renal vein. Such a malposition with varied relations and vasculature is of utmost importance from the surgical point of view because it can affect the orientation of the surgeon in laparoscopic adrenalectomy.