Fig. 1

a A photograph of the right side of the back showing 2 perforators (P₁ and P₂) in the medial zone, 3 perforators in the intermediate zone (P₃, P₄, P₅), and 4 perforators in the lateral zone (P₆, P₇, P₈, P₉). Medial zone perforators are accompanied by veins. Ld is latissimus dorsi muscle, Es is erector spinae muscle and M is the midline of the back. b A close up photograph of the upper part of the previous specimen after cutting and reflecting the vertebral origin of latissimus dorsi (Ld). P₁ is a large perforator that comes from the 9th intercostal space and gives many branches to the surrounding muscles and skin. Several medial zone perforators (P_m) appear above and below P₁ and reach the skin. The erector spinae muscle (Es), serratus posterior superior muscle (SPS), the 6th to 9th ribs (r₆ to r₉), P₃, and P₆ are noted. c A close up photograph of the lower part of the previous specimen. P₁ is the largest medial perforator that terminates in the skin as two terminal branches: upper one (a) and lower one (b). Several medial smaller musculocutaneous perforators (P_m) come of the intercostal spaces below P₁ and reach the skin. The latissimus dorsi (Ld) and the 9th to 12th ribs (r₉ to r₁₂) are noted