Piriformis

Musculus piriformis

Lower Body Lower BodyGlutesPosterior Chain

The piriformis is the most superior of the six deep lateral rotators of the hip; it externally rotates the extended hip and abducts the flexed hip while stabilizing the joint. The sciatic nerve typically runs just beneath it, so tightness or spasm can produce piriformis syndrome with buttock and posterior-leg pain. For athletes it matters for rotational hip control and is addressed through mobility and deep-rotator activation work.

Actions

Hip external rotation (extended hip), Hip abduction (flexed hip), Hip joint stabilization

Origin

Anterior surface of the sacrum (S2-S4) and margin of the greater sciatic notch

Insertion

Superior border of the greater trochanter of the femur

Innervation

Nerve to piriformis (L5-S2)

Blood supply

Superior and inferior gluteal arteries, internal pudendal and lateral sacral arteries

Wikipedia ↗

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