The Femoral Nerve


	Head and Neck

	Vagus (X)

	Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI)

	Cervical Plexus (C2-4)

	Brachial Plexus (C5-T1)

	Upper Extremity

	Musculocutaneous

	Radial

	Median

	Ulnar

	Lower Extremity

	Ilioinguinal / Iliohypogastric

	Femoral

	Sciatic

	Common Peroneal

	Tibial

	Sural

The femoral nerve is triangular or oval in transverse cross-section as it lies in the groove between the iliacus and psoas muscles near the inguinal crease. The fascia iliaca covers both the nerve and muscle (Video 1 MB). The femoral nerve fascicles disperse as the nerve divides into many branches over the anterior thigh.

(Roll cursor over image to see labels.)

References

Sener RN, Alper H, Ozturk L, Ozer H, Falakali S. Retroperitoneal part of the femoral nerve. Normal ultrasound features. Neuroradiology. 1991;33(2):159-61. PMID: 2046903

Gruber H, Peer S, Kovacs P, Marth R, Bodner G. The ultrasonographic appearance of the femoral nerve and cases of iatrogenic impairment. J Ultrasound Med. 2003 Feb;22(2):163-72. PMID: 12562121

Gray AT, Collins AB, Schafhalter-Zoppoth I. An introduction to femoral nerve and associated lumbar plexus nerve blocks under ultrasonic guidance. Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management 2004; 8:155-63. (video component online at the journal’s website)

Soong J, Schafhalter-Zoppoth I, Gray AT. The importance of transducer angle to ultrasound visibility of the femoral nerve. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2005 Sep-Oct;30(5):505. PMID: 16135356