Genitofemoral nerve

Genitofemoral nerve
Plan of lumbar plexus. (Genitofemoral nerve visible at upper left.)
The lumbar plexus and its branches. (Genitofemoral nerve visible at upper left.)
Details
From	lumbar plexus
To	lumboinguinal, genital branch
Innervates	cremaster
Identifiers
Latin	Nervus genitofemoralis Nervus genitalifemoralis
Dorlands /Elsevier	n_05/12565836
TA	A14.2.07.008
FMA	16484
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy []

The genitofemoral nerve refers to a human nerve that is found in the abdomen. Its branches, the genital branch and femoral branch supply sensation to the upper anterior thigh, as well as the skin of the anterior scrotum in males and mons pubis in females. The femoral branch is different from the femoral nerve, which also arises from the lumbar plexus.

The genitofemoral nerve originates from the upper L1-2 segments of the lumbar plexus. It passes downwards, pierces psoas major and emerges from its anterior surface . The nerve divides into two branches, the genital branch and the lumboinguinal nerve also known as the femoral branch, both of which then continue downwards and medially to the inguinal and femoral canal respectively.

The genital branch passes through the deep inguinal ring and enters the inguinal canal. In men, the genital branch supplies the cremaster and scrotal skin. In women, the genital branch accompanies the round ligament of uterus, terminating in and innervating the skin of the mons pubis and labia majora.

The femoral branch passes underneath the inguinal ligament, travelling through the lateral muscular compartment of the femoral canal where it innervates skin of the upper leg. Passing through the cribriform fascia of the saphenous opening of the fascia lata of the thigh, it then supplies the skin of the upper, anterior thigh.