Superior gluteal nerve

At a glance

English

Superior gluteal nerve

Latin (TA2)

Nervus gluteus superior

System

Nerve

Region

Lower limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the superior gluteal nerve

The superior gluteal nerve arises from the posterior divisions of the anterior rami of the fourth and fifth lumbar and first sacral nerves. It is the only nerve to leave the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above piriformis, and it does so together with the superior gluteal artery and vein.

In the buttock it runs forwards between gluteus medius and gluteus minimus with the deep branch of the superior gluteal artery. There it divides into a superior and an inferior branch. Both supply gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, and the inferior branch continues forwards to end in tensor fasciae latae. It does not supply gluteus maximus, which has its own inferior gluteal nerve.

The muscles it supplies are the main abductors of the hip, and in walking they hold the pelvis level when the opposite foot is off the ground. If the nerve is damaged, the pelvis drops on the unsupported side when the person stands on the affected leg, the Trendelenburg sign, and the walk becomes a lurching gait as the trunk leans over the weak side. The nerve can be injured by misplaced injections into the buttock and in lateral approaches to the hip if gluteus medius is split too far above the greater trochanter.

Course and supply

Arises from

Posterior divisions of the anterior rami of L4, L5 and S1, in the sacral plexus.

Ends in

Superior and inferior branches ending in gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae.

Supplies

Motor to gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, the hip abductors that keep the pelvis level in walking.