An Atypical Origin of the Saphenous Nerve and a Variation of the Right Iliacus Muscle: A Case Report

Abstract

During a routine cadaveric dissection of the posterior abdominal wall, variations of the bilateral lumbar plexus and a variant saphenous nerve, originating in the lower abdomen was noted and documented. Further study revealed variations at the root of the lumbar plexus and bilateral branching patterns. A variant iliacus muscle entrapping the superior portion of the femoral nerve was also observed on the right side within the abdominal cavity. To the best of our knowledge, the saphenous nerve arising from L1‐L3 above the inguinal ligament has not been reported in literature as of yet, which raises the question of how rare this variation may be. Anatomical variations should always be kept in mind in clinical and surgical settings, not only to prevent iatrogenic effects but also to determine proper diagnosis and care for the patient. Nerves in particular, are important to consider when a patient is experiencing pain or paresthesia, or when performing invasive procedures.