The neurovascular and muscular anomalies of the gluteal region: an atypical pudendal nerve

In two cases, one male and one female, muscular anomalies together with neu rovascular variations were encountered in the gluteal regions, in each cada ver on the same side. In the male cadaver, there was a double piriformis mu scle and high division of the sciatic nerve. In the female cadaver, in addi tion to these anomalies, the superior and inferior gemelli and obturator in ternus muscles, and the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerve passed behind the sacrotuberous ligament. Although duplication of the piriformis and high division of the sciatic nerve have been reported previously, to th e best of our knowledge the other anomalies have not yet been reported. The abnormal relationship of the internal pudendal vessels and the pudendal ne rve with the sacrotuberal ligament, as in our case, may cause venous conges tion, arterial obstruction, dysfunction of penile erection and perineal neu ralgia. These anomalies of the gluteal region are not only of academic inte rest, but may be of practical importance for surgical intervention in the a rea.