The crossed kidney generally lies caudal to the normally positioned kidney and has a ventrally oriented renal pelvis. In 90% of cases, the crossed kidney is fused with the inferior pole of the normally positioned kidney. In about 10% of cases, the two kidneys remain separate and distinct. The renal artery of the ectopic kidney may originate from the iliac artery or from either the lateral or anterior surfaces of the abdominal aorta.

Like pelvic kidneys, crossed ectopic kidneys are usually incidental, asymptomatic findings but may rarely occur with abdominal pain, hematuria, or other symptoms.