The sciatic nerve predominantly nourishes the lower leg muscles, including the calf, ankle, and rear region of the knee. It also provides feeling to the sole of the foot, ankle, lower leg, and back of the thigh. The sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord through the sacral part of the vertebral column. It travels down through the buttocks and then divides into two branches: the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve and the S1 nerve. The nerve goes up under the piriformis muscle and across the top of the hip joint to reach the front of the leg. The sciatic nerve carries both sensory and motor fibers. Sensory nerves transmit information about pain, temperature, and touch while motor nerves control muscles. The sciatic nerve supplies the muscles of the back of the thigh and the calf as it passes between the spine and the big toe. These muscles include the gluteus maximus, medius, minimus, and quadriceps femoris. The sciatic nerve also supplies skin over the course it takes through the buttock and down the outer side of the leg. This area includes the skin of the inner thigh and the shank. Damage to the sciatic nerve can result in loss of sensation and muscle weakness in the back of the leg and foot, often requiring surgery to restore some of these functions.