Innervation for piriformis?

Innervation for piriformis?

• A. nerve to piriformis
• B. superior gluteal nerve
• C. inferior gluteal nerve
• D. sciatic nerve

Answer: (A)

The piriformis is supplied by a specific motor branch from the sacral plexus known as the nerve to the piriformis. This small branch carries fibers from the ventral rami of S1–S2 and delivers innervation directly to the muscle. The larger nerves nearby have different targets: the superior gluteal nerve goes to gluteus medius and minimus (and tensor fasciae latae), the inferior gluteal nerve goes to gluteus maximus, and the sciatic nerve supplies the posterior thigh and leg rather than the piriformis (though it may pass in the same region). So the nerve to the piriformis is the correct innervation.

The piriformis is supplied by a specific motor branch from the sacral plexus known as the nerve to the piriformis. This small branch carries fibers from the ventral rami of S1–S2 and delivers innervation directly to the muscle. The larger nerves nearby have different targets: the superior gluteal nerve goes to gluteus medius and minimus (and tensor fasciae latae), the inferior gluteal nerve goes to gluteus maximus, and the sciatic nerve supplies the posterior thigh and leg rather than the piriformis (though it may pass in the same region). So the nerve to the piriformis is the correct innervation.