Morphometry of the Human Kidney in Adult Cadavers at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State

Accurate normative data on kidney morphometry are essential for interpreting renal ultrasonographic findings, evaluating donor kidneys for transplantation, and diagnosing pathological changes such as renal agenesis and hypertrophy. While published values exist for European and Asian populations, Nigerian-specific renal morphometric data remain sparse, particularly for the South South geopolitical zone. This study aims to document the length, breadth, thickness, and weight of cadaveric kidneys at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State. Cadavers from the anatomy department will be dissected using a standardised protocol, and the kidneys will be carefully excised and measured with Vernier callipers and a precision weighing scale. Laterality differences between the left and right kidney will be analysed, along with sex-based comparisons. Findings will be correlated with available data from the South West and North West zones to explore possible regional variation. This study is expected to produce normative renal morphometric values applicable to radiological and surgical practice in Cross River State and the broader South South region. The findings will support nephrologists and transplant surgeons operating in resource-limited Nigerian settings.

Keywords: kidney morphometry, renal anatomy, cadaveric study, Cross River State, normative values