Greater sciatic notch

Bone: Greater sciatic notch
Right hip bone, external surface, showing greater sciatic notch and lesser sciatic notch, separated by the spine of ischium.
Latin	incisura ischiadica major
Gray's	subject #57 235

Above the ischial spine is a large notch, the greater sciatic notch, converted into a foramen by the sacrospinous ligament.

It transmits the Piriformis, the superior and inferior gluteal vessels and nerves, the sciatic and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves, the internal pudendal vessels, and the nerves to the Obturator internus and Quadratus femoris.

Of these, the superior gluteal vessels and nerve pass out above the Piriformis, the other structures below it.

See also

• Greater sciatic foramen
• Lesser sciatic notch

External links

• SUNY Labs 42:os-0110 - The Male Perineum and the Penis: Osteology"
• SUNY Labs 44:st-0708 - "The Male Pelvis: Hip Bone"

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.