Quick Facts
Origin: Genitofemoral nerve (L1-L2).
Course: Descends on the anterior surface of psoas major. Passes underneath the inguinal ligament to enter femoral sheath. Pierces the anterior layer of the sheath and fascia latae to become superficial in the anterior thigh.
Branches: None.
Supply: Sensory innervation to the skin of upper anterior part of thigh.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The femoral branch originates as one of two terminal branches of the genitofemoral nerve. The other branch is named the genital nerve.
Course
The femoral branch lies on the anterior surface of the psoas major muscle. It descends on the lateral side of the external iliac artery and passes underneath the inguinal ligament, entering the femoral sheath lateral to the femoral artery. It pierces the anterior layer of the femoral sheath and fascia latae to terminate on the skin of the upper anterior thigh.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin of upper anterior part of thigh.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Genitofemoral Nerve
The genitofemoral nerve is formed from the first and second ventral rami of the lumbar nerve within the substances of the psoas major.
