The absence of piriformis muscle, combined muscular fusion, and neurovascular variation in the gluteal region

Authors

  • Matheus Coelho Leal Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (Ufes), Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Estudo em Morfologia Aplicada (LEMA), Vitória, ES, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6207-8415
  • João Gabriel Alexander Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (Ufes), Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Estudo em Morfologia Aplicada (LEMA), Vitória, ES, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5693-7263
  • Eduardo Henrique Beber Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (Ufes), Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Estudo em Morfologia Aplicada (LEMA), Vitória, ES, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7687-5423
  • Josemberg da Silva Baptista Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (Ufes), Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Estudo em Morfologia Aplicada (LEMA), Vitória, ES, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0514-8170

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2020.239

Keywords:

Anatomic Variation, Anatomy, Buttocks, Muscle, Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

Abstract

The gluteal region contains important neurovascular and muscular structures with diverse clinical and surgical implications. This paper aims to describe and discuss the clinical importance of a unique variation involving not only the piriformis, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, obturator internus, and superior gemellus muscles, but also the superior gluteal neurovascular bundle, and sciatic nerve. A routine dissection of a right hemipelvis and its gluteal region of a male cadaver fixed in 10% formalin was performed. During dissection, it was observed a rare presentation of the absence of the piriformis muscle, associated with a tendon fusion between gluteus and obturator internus, and a fusion between gluteus minimus and superior gemellus muscles, along with an unusual topography with the sciatic nerve, which passed through these group of fused muscles. This rare variation stands out with clinical manifestations that are not fully established. Knowing this anatomy is essential to avoid surgical iatrogeny.

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References

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Published

2021-02-17

Issue

Section

Autopsy Case Report

How to Cite

Leal, M. C., Alexander, . J. G., Beber, E. H., & Baptista, J. da S. (2021). The absence of piriformis muscle, combined muscular fusion, and neurovascular variation in the gluteal region. Autopsy and Case Reports, 11, e2020239. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2020.239