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Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve

Arteries, veins and nerves of the hip and thigh.

The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, also known as the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, is a sensory branch of the sacral plexus. It arises from the posterior rami of spinal nerves S1 and S2 and anterior rami of spinal nerves S2 and S3. It exits the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen, running deep to the gluteus maximus and continuing inferiorly through the posterior thigh where it courses superficial to the long head of the biceps femoris. It eventually pierces the deep fascia at the popliteal region and terminates at around the mid-calf region.

The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve gives rise to several cutaneous branches which innervate the perineum, gluteal region, posterior thigh as well as the proximal part of the posterior leg. 

Terminology English: Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
Latin: Nervus cutaneus posterior femoris
Origin Sacral plexus; posterior rami of S1-S2 and anterior rami of S2-S3
Distribution Skin of perineum, gluteal region, posterior thigh, proximal posterior leg.

Learn more about the branches of the sacral plexus with this study unit (and article):

Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve: want to learn more about it?

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