The nerve travels in the posterior compartment of the thigh behind (superficial to) the adductor magnus muscle, and is itself in front of (deep to) the long head of the biceps femoris muscle. At the popliteal fossa, the nerve divides into its two branches:: 532 
The tibial nerve, which travels down the posterior compartment of the leg into the foot
The common fibular nerve (also called the common peroneal nerve), which travels down the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg into the footThe sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. : 422–4

Development
Function
The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to the skin of the foot, as well as the entire lower leg (except for its inner side). Sensation to skin to the sole of the foot is provided by the tibial nerve, and the lower leg and upper surface of the foot via the common fibular nerve. : 422–4 The sciatic nerve also innervates muscles. In particular:: 422–4 
Via the tibial nerve, the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg and sole of the foot (plantar aspect). Via the common fibular nerve, the muscles in the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg. Clinical significance
Sciatica
Pain caused by a compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by a problem in the lower back is called sciatica. Common causes of sciatica include the following lower back and hip conditions:  spinal disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and piriformis syndrome. Other acute causes of sciatica include coughing, muscular hypertension, and sneezing.
Patients were treated with sciatic nerve decompression by resection of fibrovascular scar bands, piriformis tendon release, obturator internus, or quadratus femoris or by hamstring tendon scarring. Anesthetic
Signals from the sciatic nerve and its branches can be blocked, in order to interrupt transmission of pain signal from the innervation area, by performing a regional nerve blockade called a sciatic nerve block. Society and culture
According to Jewish law, the sciatic nerve (Hebrew: Gid hanasheh) may not be eaten by Jews, to commemorate Jacobs  injury in his struggle with an angel. Additional images
See also
Lesser sciatic notch
Greater sciatic notch

Notes
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 960 of the 20th edition of Grays Anatomy (1918)

External links
Sciatic nerve at the Duke University Health Systems Orthopedics program
MedlinePlus Image 19503
pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (pelvicnerves)
glutealregion at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (glutealner)
Sciatica and the Sciatic Nerve