Does the sciatic nerve always go under the piriformis If not

Does the sciatic nerve always go under the piriformis?

If not, where else can it go?  And, what are the population percentages of its distribution?

Solution

Sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body. It originates in the sacral plexus; a netwrok of nerves in the low back (Lumbosacral spine). The lumbosacral spine refers to the lumbar spine and sacrum combined. The sciatic nerve and its nerve branches enable movemnt and feeling in the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot, and toes.

The sciatic nerve starts in your lower back, which is called your lumbar spine. The nerve roots are at the L4 and L5 vertebrae (the \'L\' means lumbar, and the numbers indicate the level of the vertebra where it is in your back). The sciatic nerve also travels through your pelvic region (sacrum). In most people, the sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle, which moves your thigh side to side. From there, the sciatic nerve descends through the buttocks and the back of the thighs. Behind your knee, smaller nerves branch out from the sciatic nerve and travel down to your feet.

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the sciatic muscle become compressed and irritated by piriform muscles causing pain, tingling and numbness in the hip/buttocks and along the path of the sciatic nerve descending in the lower thigh.