Duplicated gluteus maximus muscle: rare variant anatomy: a case report - a case report

Abstract

The gluteal region is an important anatomical and clinical area that contains muscles and vital neurovascular bundles. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most powerful muscle in the human body. While there can be some anatomical variations in the gluteus maximus, they are generally minor and do not significantly affect its function; however, its proximity to the sciatic nerve necessitates attention. Hence, a thorough understanding of the gluteal region's anatomy is crucial. In the gluteal region of an adult male cadaver dissection for the postgraduate surgical trainees' regular cadaver dissection course, we discovered a variation of the gluteus maximus muscle that was duplicated with a superficial big portion and a deep small muscle component. The little portion was attached to the hip bone by two tendinous slips connected by a tendinous arch under which the sciatic nerve runs. With this type of anatomical disposition, the sciatic nerve may become entrapped if a small portion of the gluteus muscle hypertrophies, resulting in sciatica. Since the gluteus maximus can entrap the sciatic nerve, understanding the anatomy of the gluteal region is crucial for both anatomical and clinical reasons. Clinicians should be aware of this anatomy for successful surgeries of the gluteal region, intramuscular injections, and dealing with complaints of sciatica. Additional investigation and dissections of the gluteal region are urged for a better comprehension of human anatomy and its variability.