adjective
sciatic
sigh-AT-ik/saɪˈætɪk/
Relating to the large nerve running from the lower back down the leg.
The sciatic nerve carries signals between the spine and leg.
Etymology
Latin ischiadicus referred to pain in the hip. The adjective also came to describe the large nerve passing from the pelvis into the thigh, connecting the hip region with the leg.
In context
Next thing we're going to be talking about is going to be the sciatic nerve injury. A patient presents with back pain that radiates down to the lower limb after lifting a box.
More examples
- Sciatic pain can travel from the buttock down the leg.
- The doctor checks for signs of sciatic nerve damage.
- The diagram shows where the sciatic nerve branches.
Forms
sciatica noun — Pain caused by sciatic nerve irritation.