The “ghost” nerve alias sartorial branch of the saphenous nerve: a proof of scientific negligence!

Year 2015, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 112 - 114, 10.09.2015

Georg Feigl Friedrich Anderhuber

https://doi.org/10.2399/ana.14.053

Abstract

Misinterpretation of terminology or new creations of anatomical terms can be observed worldwide. Occurring problems because of these invalid terms might be highlighted by an example. During a literature research concerning the saphenous nerve, the sartorial branch of the saphenous nerve was found. As this nerve does not exist in anatomical textbooks as well as in anatomical terminology, we searched for the origin of this branch. In a publication from more than 30 years ago, the reason of the creation of this odd nerve was dyslexia of some authors, reading “sartorial” instead of “saphenous”. This gives reason to think about the pressure at universities to focus only on quantity and not on quality of papers. Literature research is sloppy as well as poor; the knowledge sometimes is even poorer, and in addition time to analyse the content of textbooks and papers are not taken. More dreadful is the fact that the manuscript underwent the regular review process, which indicates that the reviewer did not provide the anatomical knowledge as well. Therefore we are all, as scientist or reviewer, always required to research properly and to review only if we are sure to provide the responsibility of a correct judgement together with the anatomical background.

Keywords

anatomy, saphenous nerve, terminology

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