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.
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.
Supply
The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh supplies sensory innervation to the skin of the anterolateral thigh.
Fig 2 – The lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh innervates the skin of the anterolateral thigh.