Dissection of posterior aspect of left thigh

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

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Image #183-4

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