howMed Know Yourself
Sciatic nerve is a branch of sacral plexus (L4, L5, S1, S2, S3). Sciatic nerve emerges through the pelvis through the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen.
Sciatic nerve originating from Sacral plexus
Grey’s Anatomy 20th edition
This is the largest nerve and consists of tibial and common peroneal nerves which are bound together with fascia. It appears below the piriformis muscle and curves downwards and laterally, lying successively on the root of ischial spine, superior gamellus, obturator internus, inferior gamellusand quadratus femoris to reach the back of adductor magnus. It is related posteriorly to the posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh and gluteus maximus. It leaves the buttock by passing deep to the long head of biceps femoris to enter the back of thigh.
Grey’s Anatomy 20th edition
Occasionally, common peroneal nerve leaves the sciatic nerve high up in the pelvis and appears in the gluteal region by passing above or through the piriformis muscle.
Sciatic nerve gives no branch in the gluteal region. It is overlapped posteriorly by the adjacent margins of the biceps femoris and semimembranosus, and lies on the posterior aspect of adductor magnus.
Grey’s Anatomy 20th edition
Branches:
Muscular Braches:
Muscular branches supply the long head of biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, hamstring part of adductor magnus.
Terminal Branches:
Common peroneal nerve lies lateral to tibial nerve.
thank you for such clear diagrams,i have finally been able i think to solve my swelling and painful leg problem for which i was constantly being prescribed high blood pressure and edema tabs. It has been some twelve years now since i had a hysterectomy and have since battled to get my leg back to some normalcy since reading the articles and studying the charts i have been using some painkillers and much comfort has derived the swelling has gone down immensely and i will follow up with a new medical doctor to discuss circulation and sciatic.
I have suffered with sciatic nerve pain off and on for two years now the first time I couldn’t even move and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance and they gave me so much meds and nothing helped the doctor had to put me in the hospital because he told my husband if he gave me anything else it would stop my heart so i spent four days in the hospital under pain management and still nothing helped it took almost three months to quit hurting.Now I have been suffering for going on two months with it this time can’t sleep or walk in constant pain until i started taking Neurontin it works wonder slept for fist time last night almost all night so if you talk to your doctor try this medicine I hope this helps.Wish you all the luck and hope you get to feeling better soon.