Greater sciatic foramen
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other The greater sciatic foramen is an opening (foramen) in the posterior human pelvis. It is formed by the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. The piriformis muscle passes through the foramen and occupies most of its volume. The greater sciatic foramen is wider in women than in men.
Structure
It is bounded as follows:
- anterolaterally by the greater sciatic notch of the ilium.[1]
- posteromedially by the sacrotuberous ligament.[1]
- inferiorly by the sacrospinous ligament and the ischial spine.[1]
- superiorly by the anterior sacroiliac ligament.
Function
The piriformis, which exits the pelvis through the foramen, occupies most of its volume.
The following structures also exit the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen:[2]
| Location | Name | Vessels | Nerves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above the Piriformis | suprapiriform foramen[3] | superior gluteal vessels | superior gluteal nerve |
| Below the Piriformis | infrapiriform foramen[3] | inferior gluteal vessels internal pudendal vessels |
inferior gluteal nerve pudendal nerve sciatic nerve posterior femoral cutaneous nerve Nerve to obturator internus Nerve to quadratus femoris |
See also
Template:Anatomy-terms Template:Sister project
References
Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from Template:Wikidatathe 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) Template:Main other Template:Reflist
External links
- Template:Replace at the Duke University Health System's Orthopedics program
- glutealregion at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (Template:NormanAnatomyFig, Template:NormanAnatomyFig)
Template:Pelvis Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control