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sciatic nerve
noun
: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of the thigh
Examples of sciatic nerve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nerve conduction studies: Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies test the functionality of the sciatic nerve by checking the electrical signals between the sciatic nerve and its corresponding muscles.
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Cristina Mutchler, Health, 4 Aug. 2024
Your sciatic nerve provides sensations in your legs and controls muscles in your calf.
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 7 July 2024
Fascinatingly, a neuron’s cell body can measure a tenth of a millimeter across, while its axons can stretch more than 3 feet in length, as in the leg’s sciatic nerve.
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Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024
About the width of a thumb, your sciatic nerve starts in the lower part of the spinal canal and then splits to run down through your pelvic area, each buttock and thigh, and along each leg to your feet and toes.
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Laura Riley, Parents, 2 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sciatic nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1726, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sciatic nerve
Cite this Entry
“Sciatic nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sciatic%20nerve. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
sciatic nerve
nounsī-ˌat-ik-
: a nerve that runs down the back of the thigh and is the largest nerve in the body
Medical Definition
sciatic nerve
noun
: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the sacral plexus and that pass out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and down the back of the thigh to its lower third where division into the tibial and common peroneal nerves occurs
More from Merriam-Webster on sciatic nerve
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sciatic nerve
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