the piriformis

nasty little muscle yes indeed.

lateral rotator of the hip and quite literaly can be a pain in the ass.

it lateraly rotates the hip and abducts the thigh whilst leg is flexed ant the hip

originates at the anterior surface of the sacrum passing across the greater sciatic notch and inserting upon the greater trochanter(put your hand directly on your hip and it is thethat hard point) of the femur.

the sciatic nerve passes through the sciatic notch on it's way down your leg under the piriformis. some lucky people the sciatic nerve passes over top or even through the belly of the muscle. when something causes the piriformis to tighten up it will impinge the sciatic nerve and oh boy,fun fun. can we say staggering pain.this is known as piriformis syndrome, i have had it twice and you never want to have it,trust me on this one, 6 weeks of hell.