the longest nerve in the body, extending from the back of the thigh down to the calf of the leg
sciatic nerve in American English
noun
Anatomy
either of a pair of nerves, the largest in the body, that originate in the sacral plexus of the lower back and extend down the buttocks to the back of the knees, where they divide into other nerves: the sciatic nerve and its branches innervate large areas of the pelvis, leg, and foot
Word origin
[1735–45]This word is first recorded in the period 1735–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: boxer, cutoff, influenza, tandem, washboard
Examples of 'sciatic nerve' in a sentence
sciatic nerve
Be careful if you have sciatic nerve problems.
The Sun (2014)
Or the sciatic nerve, to be really specific.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But only because my sciatic nerve let me down.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Obviously, my sciatic nerve has been affected, but do the damaged nerve fibres regrow?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It revealed a cyst on her spine, pressing against her sciatic nerve.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His sciatic nerve problem could not be worse timed as his team face a critical eight days at home and abroad.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Never cross the backs of your legs at this point as it irritates the sciatic nerve, which can cause searing pain.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
A disc in your back has popped out — and it's pressing on your sciatic nerve, hence theother name, sciatica.
The Sun (2014)
Sciatica means your sciatic nerve - which travels from your back to your foot - is trapped.
The Sun (2013)
This causes pressure on your sciatic nerve — 'sciatica' — leading to sharp pains down your leg.