The piriformis muscle serves as a landmark in the greater sciatic foramen. Which nerve exits the greater sciatic foramen ABOVE the piriformis?

• A Inferior gluteal nerve
• B Sciatic nerve
• C Superior gluteal nerve ✓
• D Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh

Explanation

The superior gluteal nerve (and vessels) exit the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis muscle. All other structures — inferior gluteal nerve and vessels, sciatic nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, pudendal nerve, nerve to obturator internus, and nerve to quadratus femoris — exit below the piriformis. This distinction is clinically important; piriformis syndrome involves structures exiting below the piriformis, primarily the sciatic nerve.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.