Femoral Nerve

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Femoral nerve (right leg, anterior view)1 — Femoral nerve (right leg, anterior view)¹

Overview

Nerve	Roots	Motor Innervation	Cutaneous Innervation
Femoral N.	L2, L3, L4

Roots

L2, L3, L4¹

Pathway

4 cm below inguinal lig femoral nerve divides into anterior and post division
Anterior: mm branches to sartorius and pectineus if not already from above, and innervation to skin from med femoral cutaneous and intermediate cutaneous nerves of the thigh
Posterior division: mm branches to quads and saphenous nerve
Terminal cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve is the saphenous nerve
Travels thru adductor canal , exits prior to add hiatus

Motor innervation

Femoral Nerve Muscle Innervations
Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Articular genus	Anterior Femoral shaft¹ [Anterior Femoral shaft](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Suprapatellar recess of knee joint capsule¹ [Suprapatellar recess of knee joint capsule](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L4¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Knee [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Knee Jt. Capsule [Retraction of the suprapatellar bursa to prevent entrapment](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Iliacus	Iliac Fossa¹ [Iliac Fossa](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lesser Trochanter¹ [Lesser Trochanter](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L3¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [ER](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] L/S (BIL contraction) [Raises trunk from supine position](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] L/S (UNIL contraction on fixed femur) [I/L spine sidebend](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Pectineus	Pecten pubis¹ [Pecten pubis](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Pectineal line¹ Proximal linea aspera¹ [Pectineal line](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Proximal linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ Obturator n.¹ L2 - L3¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [ER](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [slight Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Frontal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Sagittal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Rectus femoris	AIIS¹ Acetabular roof¹ [AIIS](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Acetabular roof](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament¹ [Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L4¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Knee [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Sartorius	ASIS¹ [ASIS](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Pes anserine¹ [Pes anserine](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L3¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [ER](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Abduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Knee [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [IR](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Vastus intermedius	Anterior Femoral shaft¹ [Anterior Femoral shaft](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament¹ [Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L4¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Knee [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Vastus lateralis	Lateral lip of Linea aspera¹ Lateral surface of Greater trochanter¹ [Lateral lip of Linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral surface of Greater trochanter](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament¹ Tibial tuberosity and patella via Patellar retinacula¹ [Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Tibial tuberosity and patella via Patellar retinacula](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L4¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Knee [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Vastus medialis	Linea aspera¹ Intertrochanteric line¹ [Linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Intertrochanteric line](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament¹ Tibial tuberosity and patella via Patellar retinacula¹ [Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Tibial tuberosity and patella via Patellar retinacula](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.¹ L2 - L4¹ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Knee [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]

Muscles innervated by the Femoral N.
Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Nerve	Action
Psoas Major	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/psoas_major_muscle.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/psoas_major_muscle.html#insertion	?var:ref-psoas-major.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/psoas_major_muscle.html#action
Iliacus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.html#insertion	?var:ref-iliacus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Iliopsoas muscles/iliacus_muscle.html#action
Pectineus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.html#insertion	?var:ref-pectineus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.html#action
Sartorius	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.html#insertion	?var:ref-sartorius.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/sartorius.html#action
Rectus Femoris	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.html#insertion	?var:ref-rectus-femoris.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/rectus_femoris.html#action
Vastus Medialis	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.html#insertion	?var:ref-vastus-medialis.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_medialis.html#action
Vastus Lateralis	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.html#insertion	?var:ref-vastus-lateralis.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_lateralis.html#action
Vastus Intermedius	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.html#insertion	?var:ref-vastus-intermedius.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/vastus_intermedius.html#action
Articularis Genus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.html#insertion	?var:ref-articularis-genus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Anterior Thigh Muscles/articularis_genus.html#action

Iliopsoas Pectineus Sartorius Quadriceps femoris¹

Cutaneous Innervation

Dysfunction

Femoral Nerve “may be compromised by herniation of intervertebral disks at L4 or L5 as they pass through the intervertebral foramina”¹
Entrapment : rare but possible at inguinal ligament or adductor canal??

References

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Femoral Nerve. https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/Anatomy/Nerves/Lumbosacral Plexus/Lumbar plexus/femoral_nerve.html