Final answer:
The term defining the major peripheral nerve of the hind limb coursing caudal to the femur is the sciatic nerve, which arises from the sacral plexus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that best defines the major peripheral nerve of the hind limb coursing caudal to the femur is the sciatic nerve. This nerve is a critical component of the somatic nervous system and arises from the sacral plexus, which includes the lower lumbar nerves L4 and L5 as well as the sacral nerves S1 to S4. The sciatic nerve itself is a combination of the tibial nerve and the fibular nerve, extending across the hip joint and reaching into the upper posterior leg, and is well-known for its association with the condition sciatica.