Pelvic girdle and lower limb: overview and surface anatomy

Iliohypogastric, L1

Subcostal, T12

Subcostal, T12

Femoral branch of
genitofemoral, L1, 2

Dorsal rami, L1, 2, 3

Dorsal rami, S1, 2, 3

Ilioinguinal, L1

Lateral femoral
cutaneous, L2, 3

Medial plantar
Lateral plantar

Obturator, L2, 3, 4

Lateral femoral
cutaneous, L2, 3

Medial and intermediate

femoral cutaneous, L2, 3

Saphenous

Obturator, L2, 3, 4

Sural

Medial cutaneous
of thigh, L2, 3

Tibial

Posterior cutaneous
of thigh, S1, 2, 3

Lateral sural cutaneous,

L4, 5, S1

Lateral sural cutaneous,

L5, S1, 2

Deep fibular

Saphenous, L3, 4
Saphenous, L3, 4

Sural

Saphenous
Superficial fibular,
L4, 5, S1

Superficial fibular,
L5, S1

Superficial fibular

Sural, L5, S1, 2

Sural, S1, 2
Deep fibular, L5

Medial calcaneal
branches of tibial, S1, 2

Fig. 78.12 The cutaneous nerves of the lower limb: areas of distribution and spinal segments of origin. A, Anterior aspect. B, Posterior aspect. C, The
sole of the foot. D, The dorsum of the foot.
Posterior

Anterior

T12
L3

T10

L1

L3

T11

L2
T12
S3

S2

S4

L1

S5
S3

S2

S4
L2

S4
S3

L2

S3

S2

L3

S5
L2

L2

SECTION

L3

L2

L2

Fig. 78.13 Dermatomes of the perineum. (With permission from OBrien

M, Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System, 5th Edition,
May 2010, Elsevier, Saunders.)

S2
L4
L4

L5

S1

L5 S1

1326

S1
L5

Axial lines

L5

Fig. 78.14 Dermatomes

of the lower limb. There
is considerable variation
and overlap between
dermatomes, but the
overlap across axial lines
(heavy black) is minimal.
(With permission from
OBrien M, Aids to the
Examination of the
Peripheral Nervous
System, 5th Edition,
May 2010, Elsevier,
Saunders.)