sciatic nerve

noun

: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of the thigh

Examples of sciatic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web About the width of a thumb, your sciatic nerve starts in the lower part of the spinal canal and then splits to run down through your pelvic area, each buttock and thigh, and along each leg to your feet and toes. Laura Riley, Parents, 2 Sep. 2023 Researchers anchored one end of their fiber to the mice’s skulls, threaded it underneath the skin, and wrapped a cuff at the other end around the sciatic nerve in the leg. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Nov. 2023 The pain came on slow and built over the next two weeks until one day the disc pinched her sciatic nerve. WIRED, 16 Aug. 2023 Luckily, stretching the glutes and hamstrings can reduce sciatica and prevent the surrounding muscles from irritating the sciatic nerve, says Chellsen. Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 16 Aug. 2023 The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body (about the size of your finger, only a little flatter). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2023 The condition is caused by pain radiating from the sciatic nerve, causing extreme discomfort and pain in the legs and lower back. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023 Radiating pain from the sciatic nerve is often caused by tight muscles irritating the nerve, particularly in the deep hip rotator muscles, says Chellsen. Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 16 Aug. 2023 Sciatica is a general term for pain caused by an impingement along the sciatic nerve. Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sciatic nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sciatic nerve was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near sciatic nerve

Cite this Entry

“Sciatic nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sciatic%20nerve. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sciatic nerve

noun
sī-ˌat-ik-
: a nerve that runs down the back of the thigh and is the largest nerve in the body

Medical Definition

sciatic nerve

noun
: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the sacral plexus and that pass out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and down the back of the thigh to its lower third where division into the tibial and common peroneal nerves occurs

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