Superior gluteal nerve

Overview

Motor gluteus medius  gluteus minimus  tensor fascia lata  Sensory  none

Origin

Lumbo-sacro plexus nerve roots L4-S1

Course

Greater sciatic notch leaves pelvis through the greater sciatic notch contents of greater sciatic notch include superior gluteal nerve superior gluteal artery and vein runs over the piriformis between the gluteus medius and minimus do not split gluteus medius more than 5 cm proximal to greater trochanter due to risk of denervating the muscle at risk during the lateral (Hardinge) approach to the hip Terminal branches branch to gluteus medius branch to gluteus minimus branch to tensor fascia lata

Nerve Injury & Clinical Conditions

Gluteus Medius Nerve Injury  Trendelenburg gait    the tilted pelvis and shifted center of gravity are compensated through shifts in the upper body over the affected hip during the period of single-leg stance.  the combination of sagging pelvis and upper body shifts results in a classic waddling gait.