Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of the Thigh

Written by Mihir Himanshu Majeethia

Last updated November 6, 2025
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Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of the Thigh - Podcast Version

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The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh is a sensory nerve of the lower limb that arises from the lumbar plexus.

It supplies sensation to the skin of the anterolateral thigh.

Pro Feature - 3D Model

Course

The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh arises from the lumbar plexus in the posterior abdomen. It is formed from the posterior rami (divisions) of L2 and L3.

The nerve emerges from the lateral border of the psoas major muscle and passes downwards obliquely, along the anterior surface of the iliacus.

It enters the lower limb by passing through or underneath the inguinal ligament, approximately 2-3cm medial to the anterior superior iliac spine.

Now within the subcutaneous layer of the anterolateral thigh, the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh terminates as numerous small sensory branches.

Anatomical diagram illustrating the course of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.

Fig 1
Anatomical course of the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh.

Supply

The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh supplies sensory innervation to the skin of the anterolateral thigh.

Illustration of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, showing its innervation of the anterolateral skin of the thigh.

Fig 2
The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh innervates the skin of the anterolateral thigh.