Anatomy
Course
Arises from the lumbosacral plexus, and is made up of fibres from the dorsal divisions of the spinal nerves L2 and L3. It leaves the abdomen by running along the iliacus muscle and exiting either beneath the inguinal ligament just anterior to the anterior superior iliac spine, or by piercing the inguinal ligament. It remains superficial and continues distally down the lateral aspect of the thigh.
Supply
The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh.
Clinical
This nerve often becomes entrapped at the level of the inguinal ligament. This can be due to many causes such as pregnancy, abdominal tumours or trauma. The entrapment of this nerve can result in symptoms from a tingling or burning sensation, to total numbness in the anterolateral portion of the thigh.
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