Lumbar plexus (Latin)

The plexus lumbalis is formed by the rr. anteriores of nervi spinales L1-L4. Six terminal branches arise from the plexus: n. iliohypogastricus, n. ilioinguinalis, n. genitofemoralis, n. obturatorius, n. cutaneus lateralis femoris and n. femoralis. Occasionally a n. obturatorius accessories can be present. The n. iliohypogastricus and n. ilioinguinalis arise from n. spinalis L1; they supply motor innervation to the anterolateral abdominal wall and cutaneous innervation to the lower abdomen and regiones inguinalis/genitalis. The n. genitofemoralis and n. obturatorius arise from the divisiones anteriores of anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L2 and L2-L4, respectively; the n. genitofemoralis provides cutaneous innervation to the regio superior femoris and regio genitalis, while the n. obturatorius provides cutaneous and muscular innervation to the regio medialis medialis (compartimentum adductorium). The n. cutaneus lateralis femoris and n. femoralis arise from the divisones posteriores of the rr. anteriores of nervi spinales L2-L3 and L2-L4, respectively; these supply cutaneous innervation to the regio femoris (except for the posterior part) and regio medialis cruris, while the n. femoralis also provides muscular innervation to the m. iliacus and compartimentum anterius femoris.