The sciatic nerve innervates muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh, muscles in the leg and foot, and an appreciable area of skin. It enters the lower limb in the gluteal region (Fig. 6.129) and passes inferiorly midway between two major palpable bony landmarks, the greater trochanter and the ischial tuberosity. The greater trochanter can be easily felt as a hard bony protuberance about one hand’s width inferior to the midpoint of the iliac crest. The ischial tuberosity is palpable just above the gluteal fold.