Puneet Varma (Editor)

Superior cluneal nerves

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Innervates
  
buttocks

TA
  
A14.2.05.006

Dorlands /Elsevier
  
n_0/12565406

FMA
  
75468

Superior cluneal nerves

From
  
posterior branches of the lumbar nerves

Latin
  
nervi clunium superiores

The superior cluneal nerves innervate the skin of the upper part of the buttocks. They are the terminal ends of lateral rami of the posterior rami of lumbar spinal nerves (L1, 2, 3).

Clinicals

Superior Cluneal Nerve Entrapment

The medial branch of the superior cluneal nerve passes over the iliac crest through a tunnel formed by the thoracolumbar fascia and the superior rim of the iliac crest. This branch of the superior cluneal nerve may become restricted in its osteofibrous tunnel against the iliac crest, just as osteofibrous tunnels affect other nerves, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome. The clinical symptoms include pain at low back which may radiate to the ipsilateral leg. The clinical signs include marked tenderness at iliac crest rim just above the dimple at the buttock and decreased touch sensation of the buttock just below the iliac crest. The treatment includes elimination of inappropriate use such as forward bending or acute twisting of the low back, NSAID therapy and local steroid injection. Surgical treatment by nerve decompression is used for cases of severe pain with failure of conservative treatment.

References

Superior cluneal nerves Wikipedia