SCIATIC NERVE 



2Q3 



The only portion of the great sciatic nerve which is not covered by muscles, 

 lies in the deep groove between the great trochanter of the femur and the 

 tuberosity of the ischium. 



Branches: 



In the thigh. To the Biceps, 

 Semitendinosus. 

 Semimembranosus. 

 Calf muscles. 



The division of the great sciatic 

 nerve occurs in the upper part of 

 the popliteal space. The tibial 

 nerve (internal popliteal) runs 

 down through the popliteal space 

 (with the popliteal artery and 

 vein) to the leg. It then descends 

 under cover of the calf muscles to 

 the ankle; below the medial mal- 

 leolus it divides into medial and 

 lateral plantar nerves. 



Branches: 



In the leg. To the Tibialis posticus. 

 Flexor digitorum (longus). 

 Flexor hallucis. 



In the foot. By medial plantar, to 

 great toe muscles and interossei. 



By lateral plantar, to muscles of 

 little toe. 



The tendons of the tibialis and two 

 long flexors of toes pass behind the 

 medial malleolus. They extend the foot. 



The common peroneal nerve 

 (external popliteal) winds around 

 the neck of the fibula to the front 

 of the leg, and divides into the 

 deep peroneal and superficial pero- 

 neal nerves. 



The deep peroneal (formerly 

 anterior tibial) descends to the 

 ankle, and ends on thedorsum of 

 the foot between the first and second toes. 



Gluteal n. 



Sciatic n. 



' Popliteal artery 

 Tibial n. 



Peroneal n. 



Ant. tib. artery 



Tibial n. 



Post. tib. artery 



FIG. 188. THE SCIATIC NERVE. 



