The inferior gluteal nerve is a nerve

Nerve

A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...

 in the pelvis

Pelvis

In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...

 that innervates the gluteus maximus muscle.

Structure

The inferior gluteal nerve originates in the sacral plexus

Sacral plexus

-External links:*...

. It arises from the ventral divisions of the fifth lumbar

Lumbar

In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum ...

 and first and second sacral nerves: it leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen

Greater sciatic foramen

-Boundaries:It is bounded as follows:* anterolaterally by the greater sciatic notch of the illium* posteromedially by the sacrotuberous ligament* inferiorly by the sacrospinous ligament and the ischial spine* superiorly by the anterior sacroilliac ligament...

, below the piriformis, and divides into branches which enter the deep surface of the gluteus maximus, the principal extensor of the thigh, and supply it. it also gives off small branches to supply the deep gluteal muscles

Function

This nerve is responsible for hip extension. When non-functional, it leads to difficulty in jumping, climbing stairs, and rising from a seated position.