Branches of the Sacral Plexus

Sciatic Nerve

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

Tibial Sciatic Nerve (including sural, medial and lateral plantar, and medial calcaneal branches)

Cutaneous branches: to skin of posterior surface of leg and sole of foot

Motor Branches: to muscle 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, flexor hallucis longus, and intrinsic muscles of foot]

Common Fibular Sciatic nerve (superficial and deep branches)

Cutaneous Branches: to skin of anterior and lateral 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 digitorum longus and brevis

Superior Gluteal

Motor branches: to gluteus medius and minimus and tensor fascia lata

Inferior gluteal

Motor branches: to gluteus maximus

Posterior Femoral Cutaneous

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

Pudendal Nerve

Supplies most of skin and muscles of perineum (region encompassing external genitalia in females and males