Answer to Question #146956 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for michelle mckay

Question

Discuss how the greater sciatic notch, the piriformis muscle, and the sciatic nerve are interrelated anatomically. Further, describe a situation that might lead to sciatica or radiating pains in the posterior lower extremity stemming from irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Answer 1

The greater sciatic notch, the piriformis muscle are interrelated anatomically in that the sciatic nerve traverses the greater sciatic foramen anterior to the piriformis muscle therefore, pathological conditions involving the piriformis muscle such as inflammation could affect the adjacent static nerve.A situation that might lead to scatia is the piriformis syndrome. This is the pain caused when the muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, it occurs when the muscle spasm develope in the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve.