Femoral nerve

Femoral Nerve

The Femoral Nerve is a major nerve in the human body that originates from the lumbar plexus and is responsible for innervating the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is the largest branch of the lumbar plexus and runs through the pelvis and down the front of the leg.

Anatomy

The femoral nerve is formed from the posterior divisions of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves (L2, L3, and L4). It descends through the fibers of the psoas major muscle, emerging from the muscle at the lower part of the thigh, and then passing beneath the inguinal ligament.

Function

The femoral nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh, which are primarily responsible for knee extension. It also provides sensory innervation to the anterior thigh and medial leg via its cutaneous branches.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the femoral nerve can result in femoral nerve dysfunction. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including weakness in the quadriceps muscle, loss of knee-jerk reflex, and numbness or tingling in the anterior thigh and medial lower leg.

See Also

• Lumbar Plexus
• Psoas Major Muscle
• Inguinal Ligament
• Quadriceps Muscle
• Knee-jerk Reflex

References

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  Diagram of the femoral nerve and its branches

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  Anatomy of the femoral nerve in the thigh

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  Femoral nerve dissection

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  Femoral nerve