SACRAL PLEXUS. 329 



muscular, cutaneous, and articular branches, the latter to 

 the ankle-joint, and is distributed to the dorsal surface 

 of the loot and toes. It sends off also the musculo- 

 cutaneous, which arises near the upper third of the leg, 

 pierces the peronei muscles, and is distributed to the 

 muscles along the outer side of the leg and the integu- 

 ment as far down as the dorsum of the foot. 



The small sciatic passes through the greater sacro- 

 sciatic foramen with the great sciatic nerve, and supplies 

 the glutens maximus and the integument of the perineum 

 and inner part of thigh. It becomes cutaneous, and is dis- 

 tributed to the lower part of thigh and upper part of leg. 



The pudic nerve passes through the greater sacro- 

 sciatic foramen to the inner side of small sciatic. It winds 

 around the outer part of the spine of the ischium, enters 

 the lesser sacro-sciatic foramen, and runs forward and 

 upward along the inner surface of the inferior border of 

 the rami of the ischium and pubes. It sends off the in- 

 ferior haemorrhoidal, which crosses the ischio-rectal fossa 

 and is distributed to the lower part of the rectum. The 

 perineal is distributed to the structures of the perineum. 

 It divides into several branches, which supply the muscles 

 and integument. The dorsal nerve of the penis passes 

 forward with the vessels, and is finally distributed to the 

 glans, prepuce, and skin of the penis. In the female 

 this nerve is distributed to the glans clitoridis and asso- 

 ciate parts. 



The superior gluteal leaves the pelvis above pyriform 

 muscle, and divides into several branches, which supply 

 the glutaeus minimus, medius, and tensor vagina femoris. 



The muscular branches are distributed to the pelvic 

 muscles, the gemelli, and quadratus femoris. 



The articular are small branches to the ilio-sacral 

 articulations. 



