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. posteromedially by the sacrotuberous ligament. inferiorly by the sacrospinous ligament and the ischial spine. 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:
Location Name Vessels Nerves Above the Piriformis suprapiriform foramen superior gluteal vessels superior gluteal nerve Below the Piriformis infrapiriform foramen inferior gluteal vessels internal pudendal vessels inferior gluteal nervepudendal nervesciatic nerve posterior femoral cutaneous nerve Nerve to obturator internus Nerve to quadratus femoris
See also
Lesser sciatic foramen
References
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