A Three-Headed Piriformis Muscle With Splitting of the Common Fibular Nerve

Although the division of the piriformis muscle by the sciatic nerve or its branches is fairly common, other anatomical variations of this muscle are relatively uncommon. Here, we present a cadaveric case found to have an atypical composition of the piriformis muscle. During the routine dissection of the right gluteal region in an adult male cadaver, an unusual finding of the piriformis muscle was observed. Three distinct heads of the muscle were identified. In addition, one of these heads split the common fibular nerve. The anatomy and relationships of this case are presented here. Any variation in neurovasculature and musculature can be relevant for diagnosing or surgically intervening in the gluteal region. The present case is apparently unique and of archival value.