A STUDY OF THE BIFURCATION OF SCIATIC NERVE AND ITS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE ABSTRACT Background:The sciatic nerve ,the principal nerve of the posterior compartment of the lower limb normally divides at the superior angle of popliteal fossa.Sometimes there could be higher division.,the knowledge of which is important in avoiding inadvertent injury during surgeries in the gluteal region . Materials and Method: The study was conducted in 64 lower limbs at Government Stanley Medical College,Chennai and Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College,Salem. Results: In 60 limbs, the sciatic nerve divided at superior angle of popliteal fossa.In 3 limbs,there was higher division at the level of upper part of the thigh.In 1 limb,there was intrapelvic …show more content…
Later,as the elements from each of these plexuses grow out into the limb, they are subdivided into dorsal and ventral components, for the dorsal and ventral musculatures. The sciatic nerve is formed when the large dorsal component of the sacral plexus(common peroneal nerve) and the ventral component (tibial nerve) move downward close together[2]. Hence, based on their previously mentioned developmental formation, it is possible that the common peroneal and the tibial divisions of the sciatic nerve separate from each other at different levels from their origins: within pelvis, in the gluteal region, the posterior compartment of the thigh or the popliteal …show more content…
Demiryurek et al.,[12] also mentioned a case of bilaterally divided piriformis.In our study, we have got as single case of divided piriformis. These anatomical variations of sciatic nerve can contribute to Piriformis Syndrome and sciatica . In addition to the position of the piriformis muscle there are other causes for sciatica such as a posterior dislocation of the hip joint, herniated disc or pressure from the uterus during pregnancy may damage the nerve roots.[13] Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon and often undiagnosed cause of buttock and leg pain. It may be caused by anatomic abnormalities of the Piriformis muscle and resulting in irritation of the sciatic nerve by the Piriformis muscle.[14,15]The abnormal passage of the sciatic nerve has been attributed to entrapment of sciatic nerve as it exits the greater sciatic notch in the gluteal region. Knowledge of such patterns is also important for surgeons dealing with Piriformis syndrome which affects 5-6% of patients referred for the treatment of back and leg pain