Inferior gluteal nerve

Inferior gluteal nerve
Plan of sacral and pudendal plexuses (inferior gluteal nerve labeled at middle left)
The gluteus medius and nearby muscles
Details
FromSacral plexus (L5S2)
InnervatesGluteus maximus
Identifiers
Latinnervus gluteus inferior
TA98A14.2.07.032
TA26544
FMA16511
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The inferior gluteal nerve is the main motor neuron that innervates the gluteus maximus muscle. It is responsible for the movement of the gluteus maximus in activities requiring the hip to extend the thigh, such as climbing stairs. Injury to this nerve is rare but often occurs as a complication of posterior approach to the hip during hip replacement. When damaged, one would develop gluteus maximus lurch, which is a gait abnormality which causes the individual to 'lurch' backwards to compensate lack in hip extension.