Femoral Nerve Flashcards

Examine the femoral nerve's lumbar roots, course through the pelvis, muscular branches, sensory territory, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 28Question

From which spinal nerve roots does the femoral nerve arise?

The anterior rami of L2, L3, and L4.

In This Section

1. From which spinal nerve roots does the femoral nerve arise?

The anterior rami of L2, L3, and L4.

2. Which divisions of the lumbar plexus form the femoral nerve?

The posterior divisions of the anterior rami of L2 to L4.

3. Where does the femoral nerve emerge from the psoas major muscle?

At the lateral border of psoas major.

4. Which muscle does the femoral nerve descend across in the iliac fossa?

The iliacus muscle.

5. How does the femoral nerve enter the anterior thigh?

It passes deep to the inguinal ligament through the muscular compartment of the subinguinal space.

6. What is the position of the femoral nerve relative to the femoral artery beneath the inguinal ligament?

The femoral nerve lies lateral to the femoral artery.

7. Is the femoral nerve enclosed within the femoral sheath?

No. It lies outside the femoral sheath, lateral to its compartments.

8. Where does the femoral nerve typically divide into its anterior and posterior divisions?

In the femoral triangle, shortly after passing beneath the inguinal ligament.

9. Which muscle in the iliac fossa receives direct motor branches from the femoral nerve?

The iliacus muscle.

10. Which major thigh muscle group receives motor innervation from the femoral nerve?

The quadriceps femoris muscle group.

11. Which four muscles make up the quadriceps femoris?

Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius.

12. What is the primary movement produced by the quadriceps femoris under femoral nerve control?

Extension of the leg at the knee joint.

13. Which muscle supplied by the femoral nerve contributes to both hip flexion and knee extension?

Rectus femoris.

14. Which muscle in the anterior thigh is typically innervated by the anterior division of the femoral nerve?

Sartorius.

15. Which nerve commonly supplies the pectineus muscle?

The femoral nerve, sometimes with additional innervation from the obturator or accessory obturator nerve.

16. Which cutaneous nerves arise from the anterior division of the femoral nerve?

The medial and intermediate cutaneous nerves of the thigh.

17. What region is supplied by the anterior cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve?

Much of the skin over the anterior and medial thigh.

18. What is the longest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve?

The saphenous nerve.

19. From which division of the femoral nerve does the saphenous nerve arise?

The posterior division.

20. Through which canal does the saphenous nerve travel in the thigh?

The adductor canal.

21. What is the cutaneous distribution of the saphenous nerve?

The medial knee, medial leg, and medial border of the foot.

22. Does the saphenous nerve provide motor innervation?

No. It is a purely sensory branch of the femoral nerve.

23. Which articular branches of the femoral nerve contribute to knee joint innervation?

Branches accompanying the nerves to the quadriceps femoris, particularly the vastus muscles.

24. Which deep tendon reflex tests the femoral nerve and predominantly L3 to L4 spinal segments?

The patellar tendon reflex.

25. What motor deficit is characteristic of a complete femoral nerve injury?

Marked weakness or loss of active knee extension.

26. How can a complete femoral nerve lesion affect the patellar reflex?

The reflex is markedly reduced or absent.

27. Which retroperitoneal condition can compress the femoral nerve within the iliopsoas compartment?

An iliopsoas or iliacus hematoma.

28. Where is a femoral nerve block commonly performed?

Near the inguinal crease, adjacent to the femoral nerve lateral to the femoral artery.