Summary
We report a case with double superior gemellus and double piriformis mm. associated with the sciatic n. dividing high and passing between the two piriformis mm. in the same lower extremity. This abnormality has not previously been described in the literature. As many musculoskeletal structures may be involved in sciatica, the supernumerary superior gemelli and piriformis mm. may exert pressure on the sciatic n. and this should be taken into account by clinicians.
Résumé
Nous rapportons le cas de l'association de muscles jumeau supérieur et piriforme doubles à une division haute du n. sciatique. Ce nerf avait la particularité de passer entre les deux mm. piriformes. Cette anomalie n'a pas été signalée dans la littérature. De la même manière qu'un certain nombre de structures musculo-squelettiques sont susceptibles de provoquer une névralgie sciatique, la présence de mm. jumeau supérieur et piriforme surnuméraires est susceptible de comprimer le n. sciatique. Aussi cette anomalie doit-elle être connue des cliniciens.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Barton PM (1991) Piriformis syndrome: A rational approach to management. Pain 47: 345–352
Beaton LE, Anson BJ (1937) The relation of the sciatic n. and of its subdivisions to the piriformis m. Anat Rec 70: 1–5
Brown JA, Braun MA, Namey TC (1988) Piriformis syndrome in a 10-year old boy as a complication of operation with the patient in the sitting position. Neurosurg 23: 117–119
Cameron HU, Noftal F (1988) The piriformis syndrome. Can J Surg 31: 210
Chen WS (1994) Bipartite piriformis m.: An unusual cause of sciatic n. entrapment. Pain 58: 269–272
Chiba S (1992) Multiple positional relationships of nn. arising from the sacral plexus to the piriformis m. in humans. Acta Anat Nippon 67: 691–724
Chung TS, Diffily J (1987) Piriformis syndrome: Myth or fact? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 68: 641
Hallin RP (1983) Sciatic pain and the priformis m. Postgrad Med 74: 69–72
Levigne P, Loriot de Rouvray TH (1994) The superior gluteal n. Anatomical study of its extrapelvic portion and surgical resolution by trans-gluteal approach. Rev Chir Orthop Rep App Mot 80: 188–195
Ming-Tzu P (1941) The relation of the sciatic n. to the piriformis m. in Chinese. Am J Phys Anthropol 28: 375
Parsons FG, Keith A (1896) Sixth annual report of the committee of collective investigation of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. J Anat and Physiol 31: 31
Pfeifer T, Fitz WF (1989) The piriformis syndrome. Z Orthop 127: 691–694
Sayson SC, Ducey JP, Maybrey LB, Wesley RL, Vermilion D (1994) Sciatic entrapment neuropathy associated with an anomalous piriformis m. Pain 59: 149–152
Testut L, Latarjet A (1948) Traité d'Anatomie Humaine, 9ème édition. Doin, Paris, pp 1114–1116
Trotter M (1932) The relation of the sciatic n. to the piriformis m. in American whites and negroes. Anat Rec 52: 32
Wiliams PL, Warwick R, Dyson M, Bannister LH (1989) Gray's Anatomy, 37th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 643, 1145
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arifoglu, Y., Sürücü, H.S., Sargon, M.F. et al. Double superior gemellus together with double piriformis and high division of the sciatic nerve. Surg Radiol Anat 19, 407–408 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628510
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628510