Received: 31 Dec, 2008 Accepted: 22 July, 2009

  Abstract

 The sciatic nerve, posterior cutaneus nerve of thigh, and inferior gluteal nerve are branches of sacral plexus. They leave the pelvis via greater sciatic foramen and arises in gluteal region in infra piriformis fossa. The sciatic nerve usually divides at the upper angle of the popliteal fossa to common peroneal and tibial nerves. There are different variations in course of these nerves. Here common peroneal part of sciatic nerve, part of posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh and inferior gluteal nerve leave the pelvis above and tibial part of sciatic nerve and part of posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh pass inferior to the piriformis muscle to enter the gluteal region. Variations in these three nerves are rare and are of clinical and surgical importance.

  Keywords : Sciatic nerve, Inferior gluteal nerve, Variations, Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, Piriformis muscle

  Address : Anatomy Department, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan , Iran

  Tel: (+98) 09181110700

  E mail : alizadeh@umsha.ac.ir

  Source: UMJ 2009: 20(3): 243 ISSN: 1027-3727