Begins from the posterior divisions of ventral rami of L2 , L3, L4 lumbar plexus.

Course

• Exits abdomen deep to inguinal ligament.
• Lateral to femoral artery, outside femoral sheath.
• Found in groove between psoas major and iliacus.

Divides into superficial and deep branches separated by lateral circumflex artery.

Superficial branches

• Intermediate cutaneous nerve of the thigh
• Medial cutaneous nerve of the thigh
• Muscular branches to the sartorius and pectineus

Deep Branches

• Muscular branches to rectus femoris, vastus medialis, intermedius and lateralis
• Saphenous nerve

Note: The saphenous nerve is the only continuation of the femoral nerve beyond the adductor canal.

What is meralgia paraesthetica?