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Study of The Termination of Sciatic Nerve in Popliteal Fossa In 50 Cadavers


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Category
Articles
Publisher
Ijppr
Publishing Date
01-Jan-2015
volume
6
Issue
2
Pages
87-90

Aim to study the termination of sciatic nerve in popliteal fossa in 50 cadavers. 100 lower limbs of 50 donated embalmed cadavers (45 males & 5 females) of age group ranging from 70 to 80 years were dissected in the department of Anatomy at K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, INDIA. The variant the termination of sciatic nerve in popliteal fossa were observed in 2 specimens. The musculo - vascular pattern in the back of thigh and leg was also studied. The photographs of the trifurcation of the sciatic nerve were taken for proper documentation and for ready reference. The sciatic nerve is the thickest nerve in the body. It leaves the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen below piriformis and descends between the greater trochanter and ischial tuberosity, along the back of the thigh, dividing into the tibial and common peroneal (fibular) nerves at a varying level proximal to the knee. In the present study, we observed an unusual trifurcation of the sciatic nerve on the back of the left thigh in 2 specimens. The sciatic nerve terminates in the middle of the popliteal fossa in to the tibial, the common peroneal (fibular) and the sural nerves. The photographs of the trifurcation of the sciatic nerve were taken for proper documentation and for ready reference. The trifurcation of the sciatic nerve is very rare. The knowledge of low level of termination of sciatic nerve is important for clinicians and surgeons. Clinically, the sural nerve is widely used for both diagnostic (biopsy and nerve conduction velocity studies) and therapeutic purposes (nerve grafting). Thus, a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the sural nerve and its contributing nerves are important in carrying out these and other procedures.