Nerves of Lower Limb

Femoral n. (lumbar plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L2-L4

• superficial to iliacus m.

• deep to inguinal ligament to enter anterior thigh (most lateral of femoral triangle)

• innervates ALL muscles of anterior thigh, iliacus, and half of pectineus

Obturator n. (lumbar plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L2-L4

• medial to psoas major (pelvis)

• enters medial thigh thru obturator foramen

• innervates ALL medal thigh muscles

Superior gluteal n. (sacral plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L4-S1

• exits pelvis thru great sciatic foramen

• in posterior gluteal region, is superior to piriformis m. (runs b/w gluteus medius + minimus)

• innervates gluteus medius, minimus, tensor fasciae latae

Inferior gluteal n. (sacral plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L5-S2

• exists pelvis thru great sciatic foramen

• in posterior gluteal region, is inferior to piriformis m. (runs deep to gluteus maximus)

• innervates ONLY gluteus maximus m.

Sciatic n. (sacral plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L4-S3

• exits pelvis thru great sciatic foramen

• in posterior gluteal region, located inferior to piriformis m.

• turns into tibial + common fibular nn.

Tibial n. (sacral plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L4-S3

• MEDIAL division of sciatic n.

• superficial content within popliteal fossa

• innervates all posterior thigh mm (expect biceps femoris short head) and posterior leg mm.

• turns into medal + lateral plantar nn.

Medial + lateral plantar nn. (sacral plexus)

• divisions off tibial n., occurs deep to abductor hallucis m.

• innervates all intrinsic mm. of plantar surface of foot

• medial plantar n. innervates abductor hallucis m + flexor digitorum brevis m.

• lateral plantar n. innervates abductor digiti minimi m.

Common Fibular n. (sacral plexus)

• formed from ventral rami from spinal cord L4-S2

• lateral division of sciatic n.

• wraps around neck of fibula

• turns into superficial + deep fibular nn.

• innervates only biceps femoris short head m.

Superficial fibular n.

• lateral division of common fibular n.

• runs b/w fibularis longus + fibularis brevis mm.

• continues onto dorsum of foot for sensory innervation

• innervates both lateral leg mm.

Deep fibular n.

• medial division of common fibular n.

• travels b/w tibialis anterior m + extensor hallucis longus m.

• continues onto dorsum of foot for sensory innervation in “flip-flop” region only

• innervates all anterior leg mm. and BOTH mm of dorsum of foot