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Sciatic nerve
Sciatic nerve2.jpg
Right gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve
FromLumbar and sacral plexus (L4-S3)
ToTibial and common fibular nerve
InnervatesLateral rotator group (except piriformis and quadratus femoris) and the posterior compartment of thigh
LatinNervus ischiadicus
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy



The sciatic nerve is formed from the L4 to S3 segments of the sacral plexus, a collection of nerve fibres that emerge from the sacral part of the spinal cord. The fibres unite to form a single nerve in front of the piriformis muscle. The nerve passes beneath piriformis and through the greater sciatic foramen, exiting the pelvis.[2]:422–4 From here, it travels down the posterior thigh to the popliteal fossa. The nerve travels in the posterior compartment of the thigh behind (superficial to) the adductor magnus muscle, and is itself in front of (deep to) the long head of the biceps femoris muscle. At the popliteal fossa, the nerve divides into its two branches:[2]:532

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body.[2]:422–4

Tibial and common peroneal nerve (aka common fibular nerve)



The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to the skin of the foot, as well as the entire lower leg (except for its inner side). Sensation to skin to the sole of the foot is provided by the tibial nerve, and the lower leg and upper surface of the foot via the common fibular nerve.[2]:422–4

The sciatic nerve also innervates muscles. In particular:[2]:422–4

Clinical significanceEdit




Sciatic nerve injury occurs between 0.5% and 2.0% of the time during a hip replacement.[5] Sciatic nerve palsy is a complication of total hip arthroplasty with an incidence of 0.2% to 2.8% of the time, or with an incidence of 1.7% to 7.6% following revision.[6] Following the procedure, in rare cases, a screw, broken piece of trochanteric wire, fragment of methyl methacrylate bone cement, or of a Burch-Schneider antiprofusio cage can impinge on the nerve; this can cause sciatic nerve palsy which may resolve after the fragment is removed and the nerve freed. The nerve can be surrounded in oxidized regenerated cellulose to prevent further scarring. Sciatic nerve palsy can also result from severe spinal stenosis following the procedure, which can be addressed by spinal decompression surgery.[5][7] It is unclear if inversion therapy is able to decompress the sacral vertebrae, it may only work on the lumbar aspects of the sciatic nerves.

Sciatic nerve injury may also occur from improperly performed injections into the buttock, and may result in sensory loss.[8]:66

Other diseaseEdit


Sciatic nerve exploration can be done by endoscopy in a minimally invasive procedure to assess lesions of the nerve.[10] Endoscopic treatment for sciatic nerve entrapment has been investigated in deep gluteal syndrome; "Patients were treated with sciatic nerve decompression by resection of fibrovascular scar bands, piriformis tendon release, obturator internus, or quadratus femoris or by hamstring tendon scarring."[11]


Signals from the sciatic nerve and its branches can be blocked, in order to interrupt transmission of pain signal from the innervation area, by performing a regional nerve blockade called a sciatic nerve block.

Society and cultureEdit

According to Jewish law, the sciatic nerve (Hebrew: Gid hanasheh) cannot be eaten, to commemorate Jacob's hurt in his struggle with an Angel.[12]

See alsoEdit

Additional imagesEdit

See alsoEdit




This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 960 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  5. ^ a b Stiehl JB, Stewart WA (1998). "Late sciatic nerve entrapment following pelvic plate reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty". J Arthroplasty. 13 (5): 586–8. doi:10.1016/s0883-5403(98)90060-2. PMID 9726326.
  6. ^ Alessandro Bistolfi; et al. (2011). "Operative Management of Sciatic Nerve Palsy due to Impingement on the Metal Cage after Total Hip Revision: Case Report". Case Rep Med. 2011: 1–3. doi:10.1155/2011/830296. PMC 3163138. PMID 21876701.
  7. ^ Abitbol JJ, Gendron D, Laurin CA, Beaulieu MA (1990). "Gluteal nerve damage following total hip arthroplasty. A prospective analysis". J Arthroplasty. 5 (4): 319–22. doi:10.1016/s0883-5403(08)80090-3. PMID cited by Stiehl and Stewart for the 0.5-2.0% figure.
  9. ^ Sierra RJ, Beaule P, Zaltz I, Millis MB, Clohisy JC, Trousdale RT (2012). "Prevention of nerve injury after periacetabular osteotomy". Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 470 (8): 2209–19. doi:10.1007/s11999-012-2409-1. PMC 3392380. PMID 22684336.
  10. ^ Mobbs RJ, Teo C (2004). "Endoscopic-assisted sciatic nerve exploration". Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 47 (3): 178–80. doi:10.1055/s-2004-818488. PMID 15343436.
  11. ^ Martin HD, Shears SA, Johnson JC, Smathers AM, Palmer IJ (2011). "The endoscopic treatment of sciatic nerve entrapment/deep gluteal syndrome". Arthroscopy. 27 (2): 172–81. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2010.07.008. PMID 21071168.

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