The incidence and location of corona mortis: a study on 75 cadavers.

We dissected 150 fresh cadaver halves by ilioinguinal exposure, and counted all vessels more than 2 mm in diameter, connecting the obturator system to the external iliac system. The distance between the symphysis pubis and the anastomotic vessels was measured. We found vascular anastomoses between the obturator and external iliac systems in 91 of 150 sides (61%), and anastomotic veins in 78 of 150 exposures (52%). Arterial connections were seen in 29 of the exposures (19%). The mean distance between the anastomotic arteries and the symphysis pubis was 64 (45-90) mm, and 56 (37-80) mm for the communicating veins. There seemed to be no significant difference between genders in the incidence of corona mortis and the distance between communicating vessels and the symphysis pubis.