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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Exploration of gluteal region and hip

Intrapelvic portions of obturator internus and piriformis muscles, medial view

Image #181-3

KEYWORDS: Muscles and tendons, Peripheral nervous system.

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Exploration of gluteal region and hip
Intrapelvic portions of obturator internus and piriformis muscles, medial view
The pelvic contents have been removed and the sacral plexus on the right side has been cut away to expose the piriformis muscle. The nerves to the piriformis (19), derived from the first and second sacral nerves, have been preserved. The obturator internus (10) has also been dissected with its nerve supply. The insertions of both muscles are visible in the dissections illustrated in views 180-4 and 181-4.
  1. Lateral sacral artery (branch of Iliolumbar artery)
  2. Lumbar branch of iliolumbar artery
  3. Lumbosacral trunk
  4. Upper pointer: Superior gluteal artery Lower pointer: Body of ilium
  5. Iliolumbar artery (iliac branch)
  6. Obturator nerve
  7. Iliopsoas muscle
  8. Upper pointer: Obturator artery (entering obturator canal) Lower pointer: Pubic branch of obturator artery
  9. Body of pubis
  10. Obturator internus muscle
  11. Ischium
  12. Superior gluteal vein
  13. S1 nerve (emerging from posterior sacral foramen)
  14. Ramus communicans
  15. Sacral nerve II
  16. Sacral bone (body cut through to expose sacral canal)
  17. Sympathetic trunk
  18. Sacral bone
  19. Nerve to piriform muscle
  20. Piriform muscle
  21. Inferior gluteal artery
  22. Greater sciatic foramen (piriform muscle passing through)
  23. Coccygeus muscle
  24. Coccyx bone
  25. Ischial spine
  26. Nerve to Obturator internus muscle