Advanced Superior Gluteal Nerve Quiz

Q1. Why does a unilateral superior gluteal nerve lesion cause the opposite side of the pelvis to drop during stance on the affected limb?

• Loss of quadriceps torque directly lowers the opposite pelvis
• The sciatic nerve pulls the opposite pelvis downward
• The contralateral abductors are directly denervated
• Loss of abductor torque on the stance side permits contralateral pelvic drop

Q2. Which finding would argue against an isolated superior gluteal nerve lesion?

• Weak hip abduction
• Weakness of gluteus minimus
• Pelvic instability during single-limb stance
• Marked weakness of gluteus maximus

Q3. Why is the plane between gluteus medius and gluteus minimus important during dissection?

• The obturator canal opens into this plane
• The femoral nerve crosses this plane
• The sciatic nerve normally lies within this plane
• The superior gluteal neurovascular bundle traverses this plane

Q4. How can a superior gluteal nerve lesion alter gait even when knee and ankle strength remain intact?

• The lesion eliminates toe flexion
• Hip abductor weakness disrupts pelvic control during stance
• The lesion denervates all ankle muscles
• The lesion prevents knee extension directly

Q5. Which root-level lesion could contribute to superior gluteal nerve weakness while also affecting other peripheral nerves?

• An isolated S4 lesion
• A lesion involving L4, L5, or S1 fibers
• An isolated C5 lesion
• An isolated T8 lesion

Q6. Why is the superior gluteal nerve's relationship to piriformis a useful regional landmark?

• It marks the entrance to the obturator canal
• It identifies the major neurovascular bundle exiting above piriformis
• It shows that all sacral plexus nerves exit above piriformis
• It indicates that the nerve never leaves the pelvis

Q7. Why can injury to the inferior branch of the superior gluteal nerve affect several muscles?

• It supplies only the hamstrings
• It distributes to gluteal abductors and tensor fasciae latae
• It is purely cutaneous
• It supplies only gluteus maximus

Q8. Why can a sacral plexus lesion produce a broader deficit than an isolated superior gluteal nerve lesion?

• The superior gluteal nerve contains the entire sacral plexus
• The sciatic nerve does not arise from the sacral plexus
• The sacral plexus supplies only the hip abductors
• Multiple peripheral nerve pathways are grouped within the sacral plexus

Q9. What is the main biomechanical contribution of gluteus medius and minimus during the stance phase of gait?

• They generate abductor force that stabilizes the pelvis in the frontal plane
• They extend the knee through the patella
• They plantarflex the ankle for push-off
• They flex the toes against the ground

Q10. Which statement best integrates superior gluteal nerve anatomy?

• It is an L2-L4 lumbar plexus nerve supplying quadriceps
• It is an S2-S4 cutaneous nerve supplying posterior thigh skin
• It is an L5-S2 nerve exiting below piriformis to supply gluteus maximus
• It is an L4-S1 posterior-division sacral plexus nerve that exits above piriformis and supplies the main hip abductors