TOPOGRAPHICAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE VESSELS ACCOMPANYING THE SCIATIC NERVE IN HUMAN FETUSES

Abstract

We have studied the features of the sciatic nerve blood supply on 47 specimens of human fetuses aged 6-10 months. It was established that the artery accompanying the sciatic nerve in human fetuses is a branch of the gluteal part of the inferior gluteal artery and is usually located on the back or the posteromedial surface of the nerve, supplying it with blood. In rare cases, there is a tendency for the artery accompanying the sciatic nerve, to pass on its lateral surface. In all experimental fetuses the vein, accompanying the sciatic nerve, is the inflow of the inferior gluteal vein. The gluteal part of the inferior gluteal artery, and, in rare cases, the artery, accompanying the sciatic nerve as well, are involved in the blood supply of the maximus and medius gluteus, piriform muscles and gemellus, quadrate muscle of thigh, semimembranosus and semitendinous muscles, as well as the long head of biceps muscle of the thigh.