Sciatic Nerve Pathway
A comprehensive guide to the largest nerve in the human body.
Direct Branches (Posterior Thigh)
Before dividing, the sciatic nerve directly innervates the hamstring muscles, which are responsible for flexing the knee and extending the hip.
Motor Innervation
- Biceps Femoris (Long Head)
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
- Adductor Magnus (Hamstring part)
Terminal Branch: Tibial Nerve
Descends through the posterior compartment of the leg to the foot.
Motor Innervation
- Posterior leg muscles (e.g., Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Tibialis Posterior) for plantarflexion and inversion.
- Intrinsic muscles of the sole of the foot.
Sensory Innervation
- Skin of the posterolateral leg.
- Skin on the sole of the foot.
Terminal Branch: Common Peroneal Nerve
Wraps around the neck of the fibula and divides into superficial and deep branches.
This nerve is more vulnerable to injury due to its superficial position around the knee.
Superficial Peroneal Nerve
Motor Innervation
- Lateral leg muscles (Peroneus Longus & Brevis) for foot eversion.
Sensory Innervation
- Skin on the anterolateral aspect of the leg.
- Skin on the dorsum (top) of the foot (except the first webspace).
Deep Peroneal Nerve
Motor Innervation
- Anterior leg muscles (e.g., Tibialis Anterior, Extensor Hallucis Longus) for dorsiflexion and toe extension.
- Intrinsic muscles on the dorsum of the foot.
Sensory Innervation
- Skin of the webspace between the first and second toes.
