Piriformis nerve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The piriformis nerve, also known as the nerve to piriformis, is the peripheral nerve that provides motor innervation to the piriformis muscle.
| Piriformis nerve | |
|---|---|
Diagram of sacral plexus and pudendal plexus. (Label "to piriformis" is at center left.) | |
 The piriformis and nearby muscles | |
| Details | |
| From | Sacral plexus (S1–S2) |
| Innervates | Piriformis muscle |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus musculi piriformis |
| TA98 | A14.2.07.029 |
| TA2 | 6545 |
| FMA | 16509 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Structure
Origin
The nerve to piriformis is a branch of the sacral plexus.[1][2] It (typically[3]) arises from the posterior divisions[4]/branches[3] of anterior rami of S1 and S2.[1][2][3][5]
Course
It enters the anterior surface of the piriformis muscle.[3][6]
Variation
Origin
It may sometimes arise from the anterior ramus of S2 only.[3]
Number
It may be doubled. An additional branch may arise from the superior gluteal nerve.[3]
Distribution
The piriformis nerve innervates the piriformis muscle.[1]
