Abstract
The position, distribution pattern, and perforating branch of the superior gluteal artery (SGA) and the inferior gluteal artery (IGA) in the gluteus maximus muscle (GMM) were investigated through fine dissection and the radiological method. The SGA was located at about the upper one-third of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)-greater trochanter of the femur (GT) line and medially at about 1 cm from the line. The IGA was located at around the middle point of the PSIS-ischial tuberosity (IT) line. The perforating branches passed through the muscle to the subcutaneous tissue and were distributed to the GMM that divided the upper and lower parts; the SGA supplied to the upper two-fifths of the GMM; and the IGA supplied to the rest of the muscle. The course of the SGA and the IGA in the GMM were classified into four types according to their distribution patterns, and the most common type was the typical type whereby the IGA supplied an area larger than the SGA. These results were somewhat different from previous studies, but these differences must be considered for a safe and effective flap procedure.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 935-941 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2006 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank Mr. Kwan-Hyun Youn for the schematic illustration. This work was supported by grant No. RO1-220-000-00565-0 from the Basic Research Program of the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation.
Keywords
- Gluteus maximus muscle
- Inferior gluteal artery
- Musculocutaneous flap
- Superior gluteal artery