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

Dhalma I. Bayron-Ho; Wilson Veras Tavarez; Natalia Valentin-Carro

doi:10.61797/ijcsav.v4i1.230

Dhalma I. Bayron-Ho PhD Student, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, Puerto Rico. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7453-6946
Wilson Veras Tavarez Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Carr. 172, Urb. Turabo Gardens, Caguas, P.R. 00726, Puerto Rico
Natalia Valentin-Carro Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, Puerto Rico

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61797/ijcsav.v4i1.230

Keywords: Saphenous nerve, Anatomical variation, Lumbar plexus, Femoral nerve, Iliacus muscle

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 were noted and documented. The description of a saphenous nerve originating at the level of the lumbar plexus is, to the best of our knowledge, the first of its kind. Further study revealed more 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. These variations are discussed in the context of risk of clinical intervention in this anatomical region.