What muscle does the caudal gluteal nerve innervate?

The caudal gluteal nerve primarily innervates the superficial gluteal muscle. This muscle plays a significant role in hip extension, abduction, and stabilization of the hip joint during movement. The nerve's path and target are specifically linked to the superficial gluteal muscle, making it essential for the proper functioning and movement mechanics of the hind limb.

The other muscles mentioned, such as the deep gluteal and middle gluteal, are innervated by different nerves. The deep gluteal is typically associate with the cranial gluteal nerve, while the middle gluteal muscle also receives innervation mainly from the same nerve. The piriformis muscle, while located near these gluteal muscles, is innervated by yet another nerve, further illustrating the specificity of peripheral nerve innervation in the gluteal region. Hence, understanding which muscle is associated with the caudal gluteal nerve assists in knowledge regarding muscle function and nerve pathways in veterinary anatomy and physiology.