Quick Facts
Origin: Sacral plexus (S2-S3).
Course: Pierces the sacrotuberous ligament and then courses to the skin over the inferior aspect of the buttocks.
Branches: None.
Supply: Sensory innervation to the skin over the inferior aspect of the buttocks.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The perforating cutaneous nerve originates from the posterior divisions of the anterior rami of the second and third sacral nerves of the sacral plexus.
Course
Unlike majority of the nerves of the sacral plexus that exit the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen, the perforating cutaneous nerve pierces the sacrotuberous ligament. It subsequently crosses inferior to the lower border of the gluteus maximus muscle to become cutaneous and supply the skin over the inferior aspect of the buttocks. The perforating cutaneous nerve is absent in one third of the population.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The perforating cutaneous nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin over the inferior aspect of the buttocks.
