Anatomical variants · USMLE Step 1

A patient undergoing MRI is found to have a horseshoe kidney. This occurs due to fusion of the kidneys at which location?

  1. Upper poles
  2. Lower poles
  3. Mid-pole cortex
  4. Renal hilum
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Correct answer: Lower poles

Horseshoe kidney results from fusion of the lower poles. Ascent is blocked by the inferior mesenteric artery, leading to its characteristic lower position.

Difficulty: Medium Question 7 of 20

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