Through which foramen does the piriformis tendon pass to reach the femur?

Through which foramen does the piriformis tendon pass to reach the femur?

• A. Lesser sciatic foramen
• B. Foramen ovale
• C. Obturator foramen
• D. Greater sciatic foramen

Answer: (D)

The piriformis exits the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen to reach the femur, where its tendon inserts on the greater trochanter. This foramen serves as the passageway from the pelvis into the gluteal region for the piriformis as well as several nerves and vessels. The other openings aren’t the route for the piriformis tendon: the lesser sciatic foramen mainly transmits structures like the obturator internus tendon and the pudendal nerve; the foramen ovale is a cranial opening in the sphenoid bone; the obturator foramen is largely closed by the obturator membrane and transmits the obturator nerve and vessels.

The piriformis exits the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen to reach the femur, where its tendon inserts on the greater trochanter. This foramen serves as the passageway from the pelvis into the gluteal region for the piriformis as well as several nerves and vessels. The other openings aren’t the route for the piriformis tendon: the lesser sciatic foramen mainly transmits structures like the obturator internus tendon and the pudendal nerve; the foramen ovale is a cranial opening in the sphenoid bone; the obturator foramen is largely closed by the obturator membrane and transmits the obturator nerve and vessels.