View source for Sacral plexus

{{Infobox Nerve |
  Name         = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin        = plexus sacralis |
  GraySubject  = 213 |
  GrayPage     = 957 |
  Image        = Gray828.png |
  Caption      = Plan of sacral and [[pudendal plexus]]es. |
  Image2       = |
  Caption2     = |
  Innervates   = |
  BranchFrom   = [[Lumbosacral trunk|L4-L5]], [[sacral nerves|S1-S4]] |
  BranchTo     = |
  MeshName     = |
  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = p_24 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12648416  |
}}
{{CMG}}
__NOTOC__


==Overview==

In human [[anatomy]], the '''sacral plexus''' is a [[nerve]] [[plexus]] emerging from the [[sacral vertebrae]] (S1-S4), and which provides nerves for the [[pelvis]] and lower limbs.

==Structure==
The sacral plexus is formed by::
* the [[lumbosacral trunk]]
* the [[anterior division]] of the first [[sacral nerve]]
* portions of the anterior divisions of the second and third sacral nerves

The nerves forming the sacral plexus converge toward the lower part of the [[greater sciatic forame]]n, 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 [[sciatic nerve]], which splits on the back of the thigh into the [[tibial nerve]] and [[common fibular nerve]]; 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 [[lumbar plexus]] are considered to be one large nerve plexus, the [[lumbosacral plexus]].  The [[lumbosacral trunk]] connects  the two plexuses.
 
===Relations===
The sacral plexus lies on the back of the pelvis between the [[piriformis]] muscle and the [[pelvic fascia]]. In front of it are the [[internal iliac artery]], [[internal iliac vein]], the [[ureter]], and the [[sigmoid colon]]. The [[superior gluteal artery]] and vein run between the [[lumbosacral trunk]] and the first sacral nerve, and the [[inferior gluteal artery]] and vein between the second and third sacral nerves.

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:

{| class="wikitable"
| '''Nerve''' || '''Segments''' || '''Muscles''' || '''[[Cutaneous innervation|Cutaneous]]'''
 |- 
 | [[Nerve to quadratus femoris]] || L4-S1 || [[gemellus inferior]], [[quadratus femoris]]  || 
 |- 
 | [[Superior gluteal nerve]]|| L4-S1 || [[gluteus medius]], [[gluteus minimus]], [[tensor fasciae latae]] ||  
 |- 
 | [[Sciatic nerve]]  || L4-S3 ||  ||  
 |- 
 | * [[Tibial nerve]] || L4-S3 || posterior compartment || posterolateral leg and foot - [[medial sural cutaneous nerve]]
 |- 
 | * [[Common fibular nerve]] || L4-S3 || anterior and lateral compartments || anterolateral leg and foot - [[Lateral sural cutaneous nerve]], [[medial dorsal cutaneous nerve]], [[intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve]]
 |- 
 | [[Nerve to obturator internus]] || L5-S2 || [[gemellus superior]], [[obturator internus]]  || 
 |- 
 | [[Inferior gluteal nerve]]|| L5-S2 || [[gluteus maximus]] ||  
 |- 
 | [[Nerve to piriformis]]|| S1-S2|| [[piriformis]] ||  
 |- 
 | [[Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh]] || S1-S3 || - || [[thigh]]
 |- 
 | [[Pudendal nerve]]|| S2-S4 || [[bulbospongiosus]], [[deep transverse perineal]], [[ischiocavernosus]],  [[sphincter urethrae]], [[superficial transverse perineal]] || [[clitoris]], [[penis]] 
 |- 
 | [[Coccygeal nerve]] || S4-Co1 || - || [[perineum]]
|}

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
 Image:Gray838.png|The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. 
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Cervical plexus]]
* [[Brachial plexus]]
* [[Lumbar plexus]]

==External links==
* {{GPnotebook|1490026564}}
* {{MeshName|Lumbosacral+Plexus}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body15a}}
* {{MedicalMnemonics|3544|2382||}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Sacral+plexus}}
* [http://www.preventdisease.com/home/muscleatlas/217.html Illustration at preventdisease.com]
* [http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch05_Anatomy_Folder/Ch5_Images/05-10_LS_Plexus.jpg Illustration at backpain-guide.com]


{{Gray's}}
{{Spinal nerves}}
{{Lumbosacral plexus}}

[[Category:Nervous system]]

[[he:מקלעת העצה]]


{{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
{{WikiDoc Sources}}