sciatic nerve

Introduction

largest nerve in the body

Origin

• sacral plexus (L4-S3)

Innervation

• hamstrings
• all muscles below knee

Course

• exits the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen & passes inferiorly in the posterior compartment of the thigh, deep to the long head of the biceps femoris
• at the level of the knee (popliteal fossa), the sciatic nerve branches anteriorly to form the common peroneal nerve & posteriorly to form the posterior tibial nerve

Branches

• common peroneal nerve
• posterior tibial nerve

Pathology

sciatica

More general terms

• peripheral nerve

Additional terms

• sciatica; lumbosacral radiculopathy; sciatic neuropathy