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

When a sensor detected the left or right forelimb moving, the hub sent a limb-specific pulse through the body that reached an implant on the corresponding hind leg, which stimulated the sciatic nerve and made that leg twitch. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

In the rat, sensors worn on the front paws reported to a wearable hub, and the actuator was a stimulator hooked up to the sciatic nerve in the hind leg. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

James began the year with a sciatic nerve injury that sidelined him for 14 games. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Per Mayo Clinic, sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve from the buttocks and down each leg. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sciatic nerve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

sciatic nerve

noun

sī-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