Anatomy - Branches Of The Sacral Plexus

Front 1

Sciatic Nerve

Back 1

Composed of 2 Nerves (tibial and common fibular) in a common sheath; they diverge just proximal to the knee

Front 2

Tibial (Including sural, Medial and lateral planar, and medial calcaneal branches)

Back 2

Cutaneous Branches: To skin of posterior surface of leg and sole of foot

Motor Branches: To muscles of back of thigh, leg, and foot {hamstrings (except short head of biceps femoris), posterior part of adductor magnus, triceps surae, tibialis posterior popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexur hallus longus, and intrinsic muscles of foot}

Front 3

Common Fibular (Superficial and Deep Branches)

Back 3

Cutaneous Branches: To skin of anterior surface of leg and dorsum of foot

Motor Branches: To short head of biceps femoris of thigh, fibular muscles of lateral compartment of leg, tibialis anterior, and extensor muscles of toes (extensor hallucis longus, extensors digitorium longus and brevis)

Front 4

Superior Gluteal

Back 4

Motor Branches: To gluteus medius and minimus and tensor fasciae latae

Front 5

Inferior Gluteal

Back 5

Motor Branches: To Gluteus Maximus

Front 6

Posterior Femoral Cutaneous

Back 6

Skin of buttock, posterior thigh, and popliteal region, length variable; may also innervate part of skin of calf and heel

Front 7

Pudendal

Back 7

Supplies most of skin and muscles of perineum (region encompassing external genitalia and anus and including clitoris, labia, and vaginal mucosa in females, and scrotum and penis in males); external anal sphincter