Muhammet Alperen Fidan - Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey.
Zekeriya Özüdoğru - Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir, Turkey.
Ramazan İlgün - Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey.

Background: In this study, cadavers of ۵ adult Aksaray Malakli breed dogs were used to examine the structure of the lumbosacral plexus, which provides innervation of the hindlimb and pelvic region. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the nerve root composition of the lumbosacral plexus, determine the branching patterns, map the nerve directions macro-anatomically, and collect data for future comparisons with similar breeds.Methods: The corpses were kept in a formaldehyde pool (۱۰%) for ۱۴ days. After this period, the anatomical area was dissected using appropriate techniques to identify the lumbosacral plexus nerves and roots. The course and origin of the nerves forming the plexus were identified and photographed. Results: In all ۵ cadavers, the lumbosacral plexus originated from the L۴-S۳ nerves. The plexus comprised n. ischiadicus, n. tibialis, n. obturatorius, n. femoralis, n. saphenous, n. pelvini, n. pudendus, n. cutaneus femoris caudalis, n. peroneus communis, and n. gluteus caudalis. Conclusion: It was determined that n. femoralis was formed from the ventral branches of the L۴ and L۵ nerves and the cranial branch of the L۶ nerve. N. obturatorius originated from the caudal branch of L۵ and the ventral branch of L۶. It was determined that n. ischiadicus originated from the L۶ caudal, L۷ and ventral branch of S۱ nerves. The femur branched into n. tibialis and n. peroneus communis (n. fibularis) at the level of extremitas distalis.

Carnivor, Nerve, breed, Dog, Anatomy