Femoral nerve 3654372 212208987 2008-05-13T21:39:57Z Perfect Proposal 1243666 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/117.198.96.217|117.198.96.217]] ([[User talk:117.198.96.217|talk]]) to last version by Arcadian {{Infobox Nerve | Name = Femoral nerve | Latin = nervus femoralis | GraySubject = 212 | GrayPage = 955 | Image = Gray823.png | Caption = The [[lumbar plexus]] and its branches. (Femoral labeled at bottom left.) | Image2 = Gray545.png | Caption2 = [[Femoral sheath]] laid open to show its three compartments. (Femoral nerve visible in yellow.) | Innervates = [[anterior compartment of thigh]] | BranchFrom = | BranchTo = | MeshName = Femoral+nerve | MeshNumber = A08.800.800.720.450.250 | DorlandsPre = n_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12565782 | }} The '''femoral nerve''', the largest branch of the [[lumbar plexus]], arises from the dorsal divisions of the second, third, and fourth [[lumbar nerves]]. It descends through the fibers of the [[Psoas major]], emerging from the muscle at the lower part of its lateral border, and passes down between it and the [[Iliacus]], behind the [[iliac fascia]]; it then runs beneath the [[inguinal ligament]], into the [[thigh]], and splits into an anterior and a posterior division. Under the [[inguinal ligament]], it is separated from the [[femoral artery]] by a portion of the [[Psoas major]]. ==In the abdomen== Within the abdomen the femoral nerve gives off small branches to the [[Iliacus]], and a branch which is distributed upon the upper part of the femoral artery; the latter branch may arise in the thigh. ==In the thigh== ===Anterior division=== In the thigh the anterior division of the femoral nerve gives off anterior cutaneous and muscular branches. * [[Anterior cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve|Anterior cutaneous branches]]: The anterior cutaneous branches comprise the following nerves: ''intermediate cutaneous nerve'' and ''medial cutaneous nerve''. * Muscular branches (rami musculares): The nerve to the [[Pectineus]] arises immediately below the inguinal ligament, and passes behind the femoral sheath to enter the anterior surface of the muscle; it is often duplicated. The nerve to the [[Sartorius]] arises in common with the intermediate cutaneous. ===Posterior division=== The posterior division of the femoral nerve gives off the saphenous nerve, and muscular and articular branches. * The [[saphenous nerve]] (n. saphenus; long or internal saphenous nerve) is the largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve. * The ''muscular branches'' supply the four parts of the [[Quadriceps femoris]]. ** The branch to the [[Rectus femoris]] enters the upper part of the deep surface of the muscle, and supplies a filament to the hip-joint. ** The branch to the [[Vastus lateralis]], of large size, accompanies the descending branch of the [[lateral femoral circumflex artery]] to the lower part of the muscle. It gives off an articular filament to the knee-joint. ** The branch to the [[Vastus medialis]] descends lateral to the femoral vessels in company with the [[saphenous nerve]]. It enters the muscle about its middle, and gives off a filament, which can usually be traced downward, on the surface of the muscle, to the knee-joint. ** The branches to the [[Vastus intermedius]], two or three in number, enter the anterior surface of the muscle about the middle of the thigh; a filament from one of these descends through the muscle to the [[Articularis genu]] and the [[knee-joint]]. The articular branch to the [[hip-joint]] is derived from the nerve to the [[Rectus femoris]]. * The ''articular branches'' to the knee-joint are three in number. ** One, a long slender filament, is derived from the nerve to the [[Vastus lateralis]]; it penetrates the capsule of the joint on its anterior aspect. ** Another, derived from the nerve to the [[Vastus medialis]], can usually be traced downward on the surface of this muscle to near the joint; it then penetrates the muscular fibers, and accompanies the articular branch of the [[highest genicular artery]], pierces the medial side of the articular capsule, and supplies the [[synovial membrane]]. ** The third branch is derived from the nerve to the [[Vastus intermedius]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right hip-joint. Image:Gray546.png|Structures passing behind the inguinal ligament Image:Gray549.png|The left femoral triangle. Image:Gray550.png|The femoral artery. Image:Gray580.png|The great saphenous vein and its tributaries at the fossa ovalis. Image:Gray822.png|Plan of lumbar plexus. Image:Gray824.png|Deep and superficial dissection of the lumbar plexus. Image:Gray825and830.PNG|Cutaneous nerves of the right lower extremity. Front and posterior views. Image:Gray826and831.PNG|Cutaneous nerves of the right lower extremity. Front and posterior views. Image:Gray827.png|Nerves of the right lower extremity. Front view. Image:Gray837.png|Sacral plexus of the right side. Image:Gray1036.png|Posterior view of the anterior abdominal wall in its lower half. The peritoneum is in place, and the various cords are shining through. Image:Gray1076.png|Iliac colon, sigmoid or pelvic colon, and rectum seen from the front, after removal of pubic bones and bladder. Image:Gray1245.png|Front of right thigh, showing surface markings for bones, femoral artery and femoral nerve. </gallery> ==External links== * {{GPnotebook|-510001146}} * {{DukeOrtho|femoral_nerve}} * {{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|000687}} - "Femoral nerve dysfunction" (includes illustration) * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|17|02|02}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Nerves of the Lumbar Plexus" * {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body15a}} * {{MUNAnatomy|nerve/lumbnerv}} * {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-15}} * {{DartmouthAnatomy|arteries-nerves%20LE/nerves1}} * [http://www.nysora.com/techniques/femoral_nerve_block/files/image14_big.jpg Diagram at nysora.com] {{Gray's}} {{Lumbosacral plexus}} [[Category:Peripheral nervous system]] [[de:Nervus femoralis]] [[fr:Nerf fémoral]] [[no:Nervus femoralis]]