Innervation Motor anterior division branches sartorius pectineus posterior division branches rectus femoris vastus medialis vastus lateralis vastus intermedius Sensory anterior division branches provides sensation to anteromedial asepct of the thigh, consists of 2 branches: medial cutaneous nerve of thigh intermediate cutaneous nerve posterior division saphenous nerve provides sensation to anteromedial aspect of lower leg infrapatellar branches to knee piereces the sartorius and fasica lata medial to the knee, and provides cutaneous innervation to the skin anteriorly over the patella Origin L2 to L4 nerve roots lumbosacral plexus femoral nerve anterior division branches posterior division branches Course Through psoas courses through the psoas major muscle emerges from lateral border of psoas; then passes downward between psoas and iliacus Deep to inguinal ligament Runs deep to the inguinal ligament to enter the thigh branches 4 cm inferior to the inguinal ligament (anterior and posterior branches) Terminal Branches anterior division branches medial cutaneous nerve of thigh intermediate cutaneous nerve motor branch to sartorius motor branch to pectineus posterior division branches saphenous nerve motor branches to rectus femoris vastus medialis vastus lateralis vastus intermedius articular branches to knee Injury & Clinical Conditions Femoral nerve damage causes direct trauma is most common iatrogenic (ie. percutaneous proximal interlocking screw placement through IM nail) compression from tumor or hematoma clinical signs motor quadriceps wasting loss of knee extension and some hip flexion (iliacus, pectinues) sensory loss of sensation over front and medial side of thigh (anterior and medial cutaneous nerves of the thigh) loss of sensation over medial aspect of lower leg and foot (saphenous nerve)