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Piriformis
Other Terms:
M.piriformis,
Musculus piriformis,
Muscle piriforme
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus piriformis
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Hip joint muscle – deep hip rotator group
Etymology
The English name for this muscle is the pear-shaped muscle. The word piriformis comes from the Latin words pirum meaning “pear” and forma meaning “form or shape.”
Origin
Anterior surface of the sacrum between the anterior sacral foramina; external surface of posterior iliac spine and the capsule of the sacro-iliac joint.
Insertion
Medial side of the superior border of greater trochanter of the femur.
Action
Lateral rotation of the extended thigh; abducts the flexed thigh.
Nerve supply
Nerve to piriformis (S1 and S2), sometimes contributions from L5
Blood supply
The inferior gluteal, superior gluteal, internal pudendal, and lateral sacral arteries, all arising from the internal iliac artery, supply the pelvic surface of the muscle. The lateral and medial circumflex femoral arteries, from the femoral artery, supply the muscle after it exits the sciatic notch.
Latin
Musculus piriformis
French
Muscle piriforme