Lesser sciatic foramen

Definition

The lesser sciatic foramen is an opening in the pelvis formed by the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments, together with the ischial spine. It serves as a passageway for structures such as the tendon of the obturator internus muscle, pudendal nerve, and internal pudendal vessels to travel through.

Related terms

Sacrospinous ligament: A ligament that connects the sacrum to the ischial spine, playing a key role in forming the boundary of the lesser sciatic foramen.

Pudendal nerve: A major nerve in the pelvic region that passes through the lesser sciatic foramen, providing sensory and motor innervation to parts of the pelvis and perineum.

Obturator internus muscle: A muscle located within the pelvis that exits through the lesser sciatic foramen and functions to help rotate and stabilize the hip joint