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International Journal of Morphology

versi�n On-line ISSN 0717-9502

Int. J. Morphol. v.25 n.1 Temuco mar. 2007

doi: 10.4067/S0717-95022007000100009 

 

Int. J. Morphol., 25(1):11-12, 2007.

Case Report

Anomalous Branch of Internal Pudendal Artery

Rama An�mala de la Arteria Pudenda Interna

*Adelmar Afonso de Amorim J�nior; **Marleyne Jos� Afonso Accioly Lins Amorim; *Carla Cabral dos Santos Accioly Lins; ***Marconi Martins Simoes Alvim; *****Felipe Purcell de Ara�jo & ***Nadieska Sales Ara�jo Queiroz

*Prof. Dr. of Anatomy of the Center of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Pernambuco/Recife/Brazil.
** Prof. Dr. of the Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Area of Anatomy of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco/Recife/Brazil.
*** Prof, of the Anatomy of the Center of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Pernambuco/Recife/Brazil.
**** Graduated Medicine of the Federal University of Pernambuco/Recife/Brazil.
***** Dr. Veterinarian of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco/Recife, and Resident in Neuro-ortopedia of the State University of Native of London, PR /Brazil.

Correspondence to:


SUMMARY: The ischiatic artery classically described as a branch of the inferior gluteal artery, is a long and thin vessel that is related to the ischiatic nerve. In a dissection was observed that this artery emerges from the internal pudendal artery with a caliber larger than the ones described in the literature. The knowledge of anatomical variations is important to the surgeons, radiologists and anatomists.

KEY WORDS: Anatomy; Gluteal region; Inferior gluteal artery; Squiatic nerve.


RESUMEN: La arteria isqui�tica se describe cl�sicamente como una rama de la arteria gl�tea inferior, es un vaso largo y delgado que se relaciona con el nervio isqui�tico. En una disecci�n se observ� que esta arteria surge de la arteria pudenda interna con un calibre m�s grande que lo descrito en la literatura. El conocimiento de variaciones anat�micas es importante para los cirujanos, radi�logos y anatomistas.

PALABRAS CLAVE: Anatom�a; Regi�n gl�tea; Arteria gl�tea inferior; Nervio isqui�tico.


 

INTRODUCTION

The internal iliac artery supplies the irrigation for the larger part of pelvis, perineum and gluteal region. Among its branches, there are the superior gluteal artery, the inferior gluteal artery and the internal pudendal artery that go out from the pelvis through the greater ischiatic foramen to the gluteal region (Moore & Dalley, 2004).

In the extrapelvic course of the inferior gluteal artery was observed that one of its branches, called ischiatic artery, is a long and thin vessel that is related to the ischiatic nerve; and that the internal pudendal artery in this region sends only muscular branches to irrigate the muscles of this region (Williams et al, 1979).

Mitchell et al. (1994) related that the presence of aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms in these vessels could lead to a compression of the ischiatic nerve causing lumbar and sciatic pains in the patients.

CASE REPORT

During a dissection of the gluteal region in a 60-year-old male sex corpse, used in practical lessons of various courses of medical area, was observed a variation in the origin and the course of the right ischiatic artery.

In the anatomic piece was observed that this artery started from the internal pudendal artery and its caliber was larger than the ones observed in the pieces of routine studies, and its syntopy with the ischiatic nerve was also different from the ones found and described in the literature.


Fig. 1. 1. Inferior gluteal artery; 2. Internal pudendal artery; 3. Anomalous branch of internal pudendal artery; 4. Sacrotuberous ligament; 5. Squiatic nerve.


Fig. 2. 1. Inferior gluteal artery; 2. Internal pudendal artery; 3. Anomalous branch of internal pudendal artery; 4. Sacrotuberous ligament; 5Squiatic nerve.

DISCUSSION

The knowledge of anatomical variations is important for the professionals of medical area because when these workers face rare clinical cases the diagnosis and treatment become more difficult, demanding a large clinical experience of these professionals to deal with these situations.

According to Testut & Latarjet (1975) the ischiatic artery is a branch of anterior trunk of internal iliac artery, located anterior to the internal pudendal artery and goes out from the pelvis, inferior to the pyramidal muscle, what is different from the study of Williams et al. and International Anatomical Terminology (2001) that considers this artery as a branch of inferior gluteal artery, what was not found in our study.

When studied the extrapelvic course of inferior gluteal artery in 80 gluteal regions of 40 adult corpses, Gabrielli et al. (1997) described the importance of knowing the relation of this artery with the ischiatic nerve; and in their studies, they not found a case similar to our, in which the internal pudendal artery sent one branch of large caliber in the direction of the ischiatic nerve, as was observed by us.

Thus, we emphasize the importance of the knowledge of the arterial system, in order to be well prepared to recognize its anatomical variations.

REFERENCES

Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology. Terminolog�a Anat�mica. Sao Paulo, Man�le, 2001.        [ Links ]

Gabrielli, C; Olave,E.; Sarment�, A.;Mizusaki, C; Prates, J. C. Abnormaol extrapelvic course of the inferior gluteal artery. Surg. Radiol. Anatomy, 19:139-42,1997.        [ Links ]

Mitchell, G. N.; East, J.; West, W Aneurysm of gluteal artery. West Indian Med. J., 43:107-9, 1994.        [ Links ]

Moore, K. L. & Dalley, A. F. Anatom�a orientada para a cl�nica. 2a ed. Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Koogan, 2004. 1021p.        [ Links ]

Testut, L. & Latarjet, A . Tratado de Anatom�a Humana. Barcelona, Salvat,1975. Tomo II, 1237p.        [ Links ]

Williams, P., Warwick, R.; Dyson, M. & Bannister, L. Gray Anatom�a. 35a ed. Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Koogan, 1979.        [ Links ]

Correpondence to:Prof. Dra. Marleyne Jos� Afonso Accioly Lins Amorim
Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Departamento de Morfolog�a e Fisiolog�a Animal.
R�a Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/N Dois Irmaos. Recife- PE.
BRASIL.
Email: mjaamorim@yahoo.com.br
slothvariegatus@hotmail.com

Received: 04-09-2006, Accepted: 27-12-2006