Lesser sciatic foramen

Lesser Sciatic Foramen

The Lesser Sciatic Foramen is a small opening located in the pelvic region of the human body. It is an anatomical structure that plays a crucial role in the passage of various structures, including nerves and blood vessels. This article will provide an overview of the Lesser Sciatic Foramen, its anatomical features, and its clinical significance.

Anatomy

The Lesser Sciatic Foramen is situated in the posterior aspect of the pelvis, below the Greater Sciatic Foramen. It is bounded by several structures, including the sacrotuberous ligament, the sacrospinous ligament, and the ischial spine. The foramen is triangular in shape and has two borders: the superior border formed by the sacrotuberous ligament and the inferior border formed by the sacrospinous ligament.

Within the Lesser Sciatic Foramen, several important structures pass through or near it. These include the tendon of the obturator internus muscle, the pudendal nerve, the internal pudendal artery, and the internal pudendal vein. Additionally, the nerve to the obturator internus muscle and the nerve to the quadratus femoris muscle also traverse this foramen.

Clinical Significance

The Lesser Sciatic Foramen has clinical significance in various medical conditions. Compression or entrapment of the structures passing through this foramen can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling in the buttock, perineum, or lower extremities. This can occur due to trauma, inflammation, or anatomical variations.

One notable condition associated with the Lesser Sciatic Foramen is the piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle, which passes through this foramen, can sometimes compress the sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica-like symptoms. This condition often presents with pain in the buttock and radiating down the back of the leg.

See Also

• Pelvis
• Greater Sciatic Foramen
• Piriformis Syndrome