Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Sacral plexus
open-in-new
<h2 id="structure">Structure</h2> <p>The sacral plexus is formed by: </p> <ul><li>the <a href="/facts/Lumbosacral_trunk/3IsSS8M6">lumbosacral trunk</a></li> <li>the <a href="/facts/Anterior_division/cFDEvFyy">anterior division</a> of the first <a href="/facts/Sacral_nerve/qBQyUIKh">sacral nerve</a></li> <li>portions of the anterior divisions of the second and third sacral nerves</li></ul> <p>The nerves forming the sacral plexus converge toward the lower part of the <a href="/facts/Greater_sciatic_forame/c26g5kFs">greater sciatic foramen</a>, and unite to form a flattened band, from the anterior and posterior surfaces of which several branches arise. The band itself is continued as the <a href="/facts/Sciatic_nerve/eWtw0K6c">sciatic nerve</a>, which splits on the back of the thigh into the <a href="/facts/Tibial_nerve/D5NXIgJb">tibial nerve</a> and <a href="/facts/Common_fibular_nerve/02JmSfyP">common fibular nerve</a>; these two nerves sometimes arise separately from the plexus, and in all cases their independence can be shown by dissection. Often, the sacral plexus and the <a href="/facts/Lumbar_plexus/4zWPwWdb">lumbar plexus</a> are considered to be one large nerve plexus, the <a href="/facts/Lumbosacral_plexus/34UDETJf">lumbosacral plexus</a>. The <a href="/facts/Lumbosacral_trunk/3IsSS8M6">lumbosacral trunk</a> connects the two plexuses. </p> <h3>Relations</h3> <p>The sacral plexus lies on the back of the pelvis in front of the <a href="/facts/Piriformis/H7PntRQb">piriformis</a> muscle and the <a href="/facts/Pelvic_fascia/eBLjb4JS">pelvic fascia</a>. In front of it are the <a href="/facts/Internal_iliac_artery/XKU7cRw9">internal iliac artery</a>, <a href="/facts/Internal_iliac_vein/xyF33b0n">internal iliac vein</a>, the <a href="/facts/Ureter/VIfEGI2c">ureter</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Sigmoid_colon/vdrXYrG4">sigmoid colon</a>. The <a href="/facts/Superior_gluteal_artery/WyWXKq2d">superior gluteal artery</a> and vein run between the <a href="/facts/Lumbosacral_trunk/3IsSS8M6">lumbosacral trunk</a> and the first sacral nerve, and the <a href="/facts/Inferior_gluteal_artery/Ma62GnSo">inferior gluteal artery</a> and vein between the second and third sacral nerves. </p> <h2 id="nerves-formed">Nerves formed</h2> <p>All the nerves entering the plexus, with the exception of the third sacral, split into ventral and dorsal divisions, and the nerves arising from these are as follows of the table below: </p> Nerves of the sacral plexus[2]<table><tbody><tr><th>Nerve</th><th>Segment</th><th>Innervated muscles</th><th>Cutaneous branches</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Superior_gluteal_nerve/7V26VjBz">Superior gluteal</a></td><td>L4-S1</td><td><a href="/facts/Gluteus_medius_muscle/IqjEqUXb">Gluteus medius</a><a href="/facts/Gluteus_minimus_muscle/FCIu2reB">Gluteus minimus</a><a href="/facts/Tensor_fasciae_latae/5Es0Emw1">Tensor fasciae latae</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Inferior_gluteal_nerve/Bxa5rHtl">Inferior gluteal</a></td><td>L5-S2</td><td><a href="/facts/Gluteus_maximus_muscle/uwzV7yN1">Gluteus maximus</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cutaneous_nerve_of_thigh/gMaQ1xrF">Posterior cutaneous femoral</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Inferior_cluneal_nerves/qVpotu7y">Inferior cluneal nerves</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Perineal_branches_of_posterior_femoral_cutaneous_nerve/dw8RQJPx">Perineal branches</a></li></ul></td><td>S1-S3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Perforating_cutaneous_nerve/N34DHknh">Perforating cutaneous</a></td><td>S2-S3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Direct branches from plexus</td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nerve_to_piriformis/LGVs1sa9">Piriformis</a></li></ul></td><td>S1-2</td><td><a href="/facts/Piriformis_muscle/H7PntRQb">Piriformis</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nerve_to_obturator_internus/FH3fJbP5">Obturator internus</a></li></ul></td><td>L5, S1-2</td><td><a href="/facts/Obturator_internus_muscle/YK4TGb3j">Obturator internus</a> and <a href="/facts/Superior_gemellus_muscle/H0GvfWKp">Superior gemellus</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nerve_to_quadratus_femoris/L9TmYngY">Quadratus femoris</a></li></ul></td><td>L4-5, S1</td><td><a href="/facts/Quadratus_femoris_muscle/zqs5r9IT">Quadratus femoris</a> and <a href="/facts/Inferior_gemellus_muscle/H0GvfWKp">Inferior gemellus</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><th colspan="4">Sciatic</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sciatic_nerve/eWtw0K6c">Sciatic</a></td><td>L4-S3</td><td><a href="/facts/Semitendinosus_muscle/Kk6X8LpD">Semitendinosus</a> (Tib)<a href="/facts/Semimembranosus_muscle/HEFe3tfC">Semimembranosus</a> (Tib)<a href="/facts/Biceps_femoris_muscle/MaaDJeD8">Biceps femoris</a><ul><li>Long head (Tib)</li><li>Short head (Fib)</li></ul><p><a href="/facts/Adductor_magnus_muscle/4fo8Mcu2">Adductor magnus</a> (medial part, Tib)</p></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Common_fibular_nerve/02JmSfyP">Common fibular</a></td><td>L4-S2</td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Lateral_sural_cutaneous_nerve/lc17KwTD">Lateral sural cutaneous</a><a href="/facts/Sural_communicating_branch_of_common_fibular_nerve/Qgve3CP1">Communicating fibular</a></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Superficial_fibular_nerve/kJpzXDPm">Superficial fibular</a></li></ul></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Fibularis_longus/fHWKkYSS">Fibularis longus</a><a href="/facts/Fibularis_brevis/XdfMzf2L">Fibularis brevis</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Medial_dorsal_cutaneous_nerve/9TTXFHe4">Medial dorsal cutaneous</a><a href="/facts/Intermediate_dorsal_cutaneous_nerve/wsM3VcR4">Intermediate dorsal cutaneous</a></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Deep_fibular_nerve/MPyU5g3D">Deep fibular</a></li></ul></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Tibialis_anterior_muscle/lgFHez9P">Tibialis anterior</a><a href="/facts/Extensor_digitorum_longus_muscle/vGsgqdmo">Extensor digitorum longus</a><a href="/facts/Extensor_digitorum_brevis_muscle/VqV08hAf">Extensor digitorum brevis</a><a href="/facts/Extensor_hallucis_longus_muscle/aSXwY86t">Extensor hallucis longus</a><a href="/facts/Extensor_hallucis_brevis_muscle/cj2QRel8">Extensor hallucis brevis</a><a href="/facts/Fibularis_tertius/ot6X06Ek">Fibularis tertius</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Medial_terminal_branch_of_deep_fibular_nerve/MPyU5g3D">Lateral cutaneous nerve of big toe</a><a href="/facts/Intermediate_dorsal_cutaneous_nerve/wsM3VcR4">Intermediate dorsal cutaneous</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Tibial_nerve/D5NXIgJb">Tibial nerve</a></td><td>L4-S3</td><td><a href="/facts/Triceps_surae/eYeceylB">Triceps surae</a>(<a href="/facts/Gastrocnemius_muscle/zT65c98K">Gastrocnemius</a>, <a href="/facts/Soleus_muscle/utGDMuec">Soleus</a>)<a href="/facts/Popliteus_muscle/Vk9jmq27">Popliteus</a><a href="/facts/Plantaris_muscle/KHgEWm0p">Plantaris</a><a href="/facts/Tibialis_posterior_muscle/laC9tUfJ">Tibialis posterior</a><a href="/facts/Flexor_digitorum_longus_muscle/E7VR7f4U">Flexor digitorum longus</a><a href="/facts/Flexor_hallucis_longus_muscle/LIS97ljL">Flexor hallucis longus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Medial_sural_cutaneous_nerve/SMdGmUeW">Medial sural cutaneous</a><a href="/facts/Medial_calcaneal_branches_of_the_tibial_nerve/u761t5wo">Medial calcaneal</a><a href="/facts/Lateral_dorsal_cutaneous_nerve/YIrFdRju">Lateral dorsal cutaneous</a></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Medial_plantar_nerve/SotgS6u6">Medial plantar</a></li></ul></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Abductor_hallucis_muscle/FXUSD115">Abductor hallucis</a><a href="/facts/Flexor_digitorum_brevis_muscle/EfyJXu2e">Flexor digitorum brevis</a><a href="/facts/Flexor_hallucis_brevis_muscle/pHKXQH4L">Flexor hallucis brevis</a> (medial head)<a href="/facts/Lumbrical_muscle_(foot)/DTzGccDw">Lumbrical</a> (first and second)</td><td><a href="/facts/Proper_plantar_digital_nerves_of_medial_plantar_nerve/AtSYF4FA">Proper digital plantar</a></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li><a href="/facts/Lateral_plantar_nerve/DVaHENtk">Lateral plantar</a></li></ul></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Flexor_hallucis_brevis_muscle/pHKXQH4L">Flexor hallucis brevis</a> (lateral head)<a href="/facts/Quadratus_plantae_muscle/KSsBghvJ">Quadratus plantae</a><a href="/facts/Abductor_digiti_minimi_muscle_(foot)/6u0o3fko">Abductor digiti minimi</a><a href="/facts/Flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_muscle_(foot)/szV2mmaB">Flexor digiti minimi</a><a href="/facts/Lumbrical_muscle_(foot)/DTzGccDw">Lumbrical</a> (third and fourth)<a href="/facts/Plantar_interossei_muscles/uAHSS4RQ">Plantar interossei</a> (first to third)<a href="/facts/Dorsal_interossei_muscles_(foot)/dGfpt8Fc">Dorsal interossei</a> (first to fifth)<a href="/facts/Adductor_hallucis_muscle/9UnmfHlU">Adductor hallucis</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Proper_plantar_digital_nerves_of_lateral_plantar_nerve/wI7lT4cr">Proper plantar digital</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="4">Pudendal and coccygeal</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Pudendal_nerve/aovMHeQD">Pudendal</a>(<a href="/facts/Pudendal_plexus_(nerves)/IYPzEQ9e">Pudendal plexus</a>)</td><td>S2-S4</td><td>Muscles of the <a href="/facts/Pelvic_floor/PRXFuM1U">pelvic floor</a>:<a href="/facts/Levator_ani/9DCEyeUt">Levator ani</a><a href="/facts/Superficial_transverse_perineal_muscle/A2knYUth">Superficial transverse perineal</a><a href="/facts/Deep_transverse_perineal_muscle/A2knYUth">Deep transverse perineal</a><a href="/facts/Bulbospongiosus_muscle/aqr2lL8z">Bulbospongiosus</a><a href="/facts/Ischiocavernosus_muscle/zvk8fWaC">Ischiocavernosus</a><a href="/facts/Sphincter_ani_externus_muscle/YIGwm0kz">Sphincter anus externus</a><a href="/facts/Urethral_sphincter/DmnW3PoA">Urethral sphincter</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Inferior_anal_nerves/EWAUGLA3">Inferior rectal</a><a href="/facts/Perineal_nerve/dBPH55jY">Perineal</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Posterior_scrotal_nerves/KA5RFxC9">Posterior scrotal</a>/<a href="/facts/Posterior_labial_nerves/xM0QCgN8">labial</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Dorsal_nerve_of_the_penis/5DUo6N9g">Dorsal penis</a>/<a href="/facts/Dorsal_nerve_of_clitoris/9cPwnJqT">clitoris</a></li><li>prostatic urethra./vagina</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Coccygeal_nerve/qBQyUIKh">Coccygeal</a>(<a href="/facts/Coccygeal_plexus/YMDl0XYM">Coccygeal plexus</a>)</td><td>S5-Co1</td><td><a href="/facts/Coccygeus_muscle/DjlQTlII">Coccygeus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anococcygeal_nerves/DJaLG7Cg">Anococcygeal</a>Dorsal branches</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="additional-images">Additional images</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Cervical_plexus/eRk9EpEo">Cervical plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Brachial_plexus/3kmp3Mwj">Brachial plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lumbar_plexus/4zWPwWdb">Lumbar plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Coccygeal_plexus/YMDl0XYM">Coccygeal plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lumbosacral_plexus/34UDETJf">Lumbosacral plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nerve_plexus/UdYSXLQH">Nerve plexus</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sciatic_nerve/eWtw0K6c">Sciatic nerve</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Pudendal_nerve/aovMHeQD">Pudendal nerve</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Posterior_femoral_cutaneous_nerve/gMaQ1xrF">Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Superior_gluteal_nerve/7V26VjBz">Superior gluteal nerve</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Inferior_gluteal_nerve/Bxa5rHtl">Inferior gluteal nerve</a></li></ul> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <p> <i>This article incorporates text in the <a href="/facts/Public_domain/YWKMDKw4">public domain</a> from <a href="https://archive.org/stream/anatomyofhumanbo1918gray#page/957/mode/2up">page 957</a> of the 20th edition of</i> <a href="/facts/Gray%2527s_Anatomy/dLMyjr2p">Gray's Anatomy</a> <i>(1918)</i> </p> <ul><li><i>Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System</i>. Thieme. 2006. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 1-58890-419-9.</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sacral plexus. <ul><li><a href="https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?name=Lumbosacral+Plexus">Lumbosacral+Plexus</a> at the U.S. National Library of Medicine <a href="/facts/Medical_Subject_Headings/C57g2JuF">Medical Subject Headings</a> (MeSH)</li> <li><a href="https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/plastination/pembody/body15a-text.html">Cross section image: pembody/body15a</a>—Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna</li> <li><i>Medical<a href="/facts/Mnemonic/6HfDn0ks">Mnemonics</a>.com</i>: <a href="http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/cgi-bin/lookup.cfm?id1=3544&id2=2382&id3=&id4=">3544 2382 </a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Thieme Atlas of Anatomy (2006), pp 470-471 <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>