Download PDF
Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Morphological Sciences 2017; 34(03): 134-136
DOI: 10.4322/jms.107616
Case Report
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

High division of sciatic nerve associated with a double superior gemellus muscle

Authors

  • A. B. F. Dupim

    1   Morphology Department, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Rua Professor Ernani Mello, 101, São Domingos, CEP 24210-150, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

  • A. R. Teixeira

    2   Post-graduation Program, Biophysics Department, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, Cidade Universitária, CEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

  • L. A. S. Pires

    1   Morphology Department, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Rua Professor Ernani Mello, 101, São Domingos, CEP 24210-150, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

  • C. A. A. Chagas

    1   Morphology Department, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Rua Professor Ernani Mello, 101, São Domingos, CEP 24210-150, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

11 October 2016

13 August 2017

Publication Date:
18 October 2018 (online)

 PDF Download Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Introduction: The superior gemellus muscle is a lateral rotator of the thigh, functioning together with other muscles of the region such as the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the human body. It arises from the lumbosacral plexus and divides into two nerves: the tibial and common fibular nerves, which normally appear near the apex of the popliteal fossa. It is responsible for the innervation of the muscles of the posterior compartment of the lower limb. Case report: We report a doubled superior gemellus muscle associated with a high division of the sciatic nerve on the left side of a cadaveric specimen. The other muscles of the region showed no abnormality. Conclusion: This variation may offer information to piriformis muscle syndrome and be of importance in radiology and surgery of the region.

Keywords

anatomic variation - superior gemellus muscle - sciatic nerve - piriformis syndrome