Greater sciatic notch Greater sciatic notch The greater sciatic notch is a notch in the ilium, one of the bones that make up the human pelvis. It lies between the posterior inferior iliac spine (above), and the ischial spine (below). The sacrospinous ligament changes this notch into an opening, the greater sciatic foramen. The notch holds the piriformis, the superior gluteal vein and artery, and the superior gluteal nerve; the inferior gluteal vein and artery and the inferior gluteal nerve; the sciatic and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves; the internal pudendal artery and veins, and the nerves to the internal obturator and quadratus femoris
Sciatic nerve block Sciatic nerve block A sciatic nerve block is a nerve block that uses local anesthetic to achieve analgesia in the leg. The block works by affecting the sciatic nerve and is used for surgeries at or below the knee. The sciatic nerve is located in the gluteus maximus muscle, where the block is performed. The sciatic nerve can be blocked at different locations. At the popliteal fossa, the sciatic nerve divides into its two branches: The tibial and the common peroneal nerve. If surgery is performed on the ankle, achilles tendon or foot a popliteal block can be performed, affecting