Corona Mortis: The abnormal Obturator Vessels in Filipino cadavers

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#This is a descriptive study to determine the origin of abnormal obturator arteries, the drainage of abnormal obturator veins, and if any anastomoses exist between these abnormal vessels in Filipino cadavers.@*Methods@#A total of 54 cadaver halves, 50 dissected by UP medical students and 4 by UP Dentistry students were included in this survey.@*Results@#Results showed the abnormal obturator arteries arising from the inferior epigastric arteries in 7 halves (12.96%) and the abnormal communicating veins draining into the inferior epigastric or external iliac veins in 16 (29.62%). There were also arterial anastomoses in 5 (9.25%) with the inferior epigastric artery, and venous anastomoses in 16 (29.62%) with the inferior epigastric or external iliac veins. Bilateral abnormalities were noted in a total 6 cadavers, 3 with both arterial and venous, and the remaining 3 with only venous anastomoses.@*Conclusion@#It is important to be aware of the presence of these abnormalities that if found during surgery, must first be ligated to avoid intraoperative bleeding complications.