Eur J Anat, 18 (2): 68-74 (2014)

Variations in the vascular supply of the upper one third of the sciatic nerve

Vaishali Paranjape, Jyoti Kulkarni and P. Vatsalaswamy

Dept. of Anatomy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune, D.Y. Patil University, India

ABSTRACT The arteria comitans nervi ischiadica (ACNI), which is a branch of the inferior gluteal artery and represents the axial artery of the inferior extremity, supplies the sciatic nerve in gluteal region. The vascular supply of the upper 1/3rd of the sciatic nerve and the morphological details of the ACNI have not been characterized yet in detail. Hence, we studied the extraneuronal blood supply of the upper 1/3rd of the sciatic nerve by cadaveric dissection. The upper 1/3rd of the sciatic nerve was dissected in the gluteal region by reflecting the gluteus maximus muscle in 33 formalin-fixed cadavers. Variations in the number of ACNI arising from the inferior gluteal artery and length of segments of ACNI were noted. The source of other nutrient branches supplying the sciatic nerve in the gluteal region was also noted. In 86.6% of cases one ACNI was found. 9% of limbs had two ACNI and 1.8% had three ACNI arising respectively from the inferior gluteal artery (IGA). The morphology of the ACNI was studied in three segments and it showed variation in length. Blood supply to the sciatic nerve was assisted by the nutrient branches from trochanteric & cruciate anastomosis in 71% of cases, and branches from the artery accompanying the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh in 34% of cases. Both sources assisted blood supply in 3% of cases. Detailed knowledge of blood supply to the peripheral nerve is essential for surgeons dealing with peripheral nerve injuries.

Keywords: Sciatic nerve, Inferior gluteal artery, Arteria comitans nervi Isciadica, Axial artery, Peripheral nerve