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Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Piriformis Muscle Anatomy - Gluteal Nerves and Sciatic Nerve Relations

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

A surgical trainee is assisting with a posterior approach to the hip for total hip arthroplasty. The attending surgeon emphasizes the importance of identifying the piriformis muscle as a key landmark for protecting the sciatic nerve. After incising the fascia lata and splitting the gluteus maximus, the short external rotators are exposed. Regarding the anatomy of the piriformis muscle and its relationship to neurovascular structures:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The piriformis muscle originates from the ANTERIOR SURFACE of the SACRUM (S2-S4 segments), passes th...

B

The SUPERIOR GLUTEAL NERVE and ARTERY pass through the greater sciatic foramen ABOVE (SUPRAPIRIFORMI...

C

The SCIATIC NERVE passes ABOVE the piriformis muscle through the suprapiriformis space; the superior...

D

The SCIATIC NERVE (L4-S3) typically passes BELOW (INFRAPIRIFORMIS) the piriformis along with the inf...

E

ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS of the sciatic nerve course exist in approximately 15-20% of individuals; vari...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option