Formation of the sciatic nerve in relation to the piriformis muscle- a rare variation

Arnab Ghosh; Krishna Kanta Biswas; Sudipto Pal

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

Formation of the sciatic nerve in relation to the piriformis muscle- a rare variation

Arnab Ghosh, Krishna Kanta Biswas, Sudipto Pal

Abstract :

Introduction–The sciatic nerve is the nerve of the posterior compartment of thigh. It arises in the pelvic cavity and divides into tibial and common peroneal nerves usually near the superior angle of the popliteal fossa. It may vary in formation, course and division into the tibial and common peronealnerves. These variations may influence the surgical outcome of the operations around the hip joint and sacroiliac joints. The aim of the present study is to present a case of variable formation of the sciatic nerve in relation to the piriformis muscle.Case report– During routine dissection of the gluteal regionfor the first year MBBS students, a sciatic nerve was reported with variable formation in relation to the piriformis muscle. The dissection was carried outaccording to Cunningham’s manual of practical anatomy. The common peroneal component passed dorsal andtibial component passed ventral to the piriformis muscle to form the sciatic nerve at the lower border of the muscleon the right side of a 70 year old male cadaver. Conclusion– The formation of the sciatic nerve varies widely in relation to the piriformis muscle, the knowledge of which is useful for the clinicians and surgeons.