Femoral nerve
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212208987
2008-05-13T21:39:57Z
Perfect Proposal
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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]]
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[[fr:Nerf fémoral]]
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