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Dissection of posterior aspect of left thigh

Relations of sciatic nerve in upper part of thigh (continued)

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Image #183-4
Bassett Image
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of posterior aspect of left thigh
Relations of sciatic nerve in upper part of thigh (continued)
The sciatic nerve has been exposed from the greater sciatic foramen downward into the thigh. The relations of the nerve to the ischial tuberosity (19) and greater trochanter (6) are shown. Several arteries (1, 2, 7, 14, 21) ramify within the area of the dissection. These vessels, together with branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (not shown) form the cruciate anastomosis.
  1. Inferior gluteal artery
  2. Artery supplying sciatic nerve
  3. Piriform muscle
  4. Obturator internus muscle
  5. Gluteus medius muscle
  6. Greater trochanter
  7. Medial femoral circumflex artery (ascending branch)
  8. Fascia lata (between gluteus maximus muscle and tensor fasciae latae muscle)
  9. Trochanteric bursa of gluteus maximus
  10. Gluteus maximus muscle (reflected)
  11. Quadratus femoris muscle
  12. Adductor minimus muscle
  13. Sciatic nerve
  14. Perforating arteries
  15. Lateral intermuscular septum
  16. Adductor magnus muscle
  17. Short head of biceps femoris muscle
  18. Sacrotuberous ligament
  19. Ischial tuberosity
  20. Muscular branch of sciatic nerve (to hamstring muscles)
  21. Medial femoral circumflex artery (deep branch)
  22. Adductor magnus muscle
  23. Gracilis muscle
  24. Semitendinosus muscle
  25. Long head of biceps femoris