Genitofemoral Nerve
Description
Name
- Genitofemoral Nerve
General
- Branch of the lumbar plexus
- Arises from the anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L2
- Contributes to the sensation of the thigh and genitalia, and innervates the cremaster muscle in males.
Gross Anatomy
- Originates in the substance of the psoas major muscle
- Descends retroperitoneally towards the inguinal ligament
- Crosses the ureter just proximal to inguinal ligament
- Bifurcates into femoral and genital branches after it pierces the psoas fascia
Innervation
- Sensory nerve to the upper thigh
- Female: mons pubis, labia majora
- Male: anterior scrutum
- Muscle: cremaster muscle
Genital Branch
- Courses inferiorly, crosses the external iliac artery and enters the inguinal canal
- Accompanied by spermatic cord (male), round ligament (females)
- Exits inguinal canal through the superficial inguinal ring to supply external genitalia
- Mainly responsible for the cremasteric reflex
Femoral Branch
- Also called the lumboingunal branch
- Courses lateral to the external iliac artery
- Travels underneath the inguinal ligament, pierces the femoral sheath and enters the thigh
- Provides sensory innervation of the skin of the anterior, upper, medial thigh
Clinical Significance
- Needs to be updated