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Lumbar plexus
Origin and location

Branches and innervation

Mnemonics Author: Edwin Ocran MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Roberto Grujičić MD

Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Sources Reading time: 11 minutes

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Recommended video: Lumbar plexus [23:22]

The structure of the lumbar plexus including its spinal roots and branches, which
supply the abdominal wall, pelvis and lower limb.

The lumbar plexus is a network of nerves that

arises from the anterior rami of spinal nerves
L1-L4, along with a contribution from the
anterior ramus of spinal nerve T12. It is located
on the posterior abdominal wall, anterior to the
transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae
and within the posterior portion of the psoas
major muscle.

The lumbar plexus gives rise to several branches

which supply various muscles and regions of the
posterior abdominal wall and lower limb. These Lumbar plexus
1/3
Plexus lumbalis
branches include the iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal,
genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, Synonyms: none
femoral and obturator nerves. In addition, the
lumbar plexus gives off muscular branches from
its roots, a branch to the lumbosacral trunk and occasionally an accessory obturator
nerve.

This plexus, together with the sacral plexus, gives rise to all the motor and sensory
nerves of the lower extremity.

This article will discuss the anatomy and functions of the lumbar plexus.

Key facts about the lumbar plexus Table quiz

Origin L1, L2, L3, L4

Branches Muscular branches (T12, L1-4) - psoas major, quadratus lumborum

and Iliohypogastric nerve (L1) and ilioinguinal nerve (L1) - transversus abdominis,
innervation
internal oblique muscles
Genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2) - cremaster muscle
Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (L2, L3) - skin of the lateral part of the thigh
Obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4) - obturator externus, adductor longus, adductor
brevis, gracilis, pectineus, adductor magnus
Accessory obturator nerve (L3, L4) - pectineus, hip joint
Femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4) - Iliopsoas, pectineus, sartorius, quadriceps femoris
Branch to the lumbosacral trunk (L4)

Mnemonic for the Interested In Getting Lunch On Friday?

major branches (standing for: Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal, Genitofemoral, Lateral femoral
cutaneous Obturator, Femoral)

Contents

1. Origin and location

2. Branches and innervation
2.1. Iliohypogastric nerve
+ Show all
2.2. Ilioinguinal nerve

Origin and location

The lumbar plexus originates from the anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L4 and is
formed largely within the posterior aspect of the psoas major muscle. The anterior
ramus of spinal nerve T12 contributes to the formation of the lumbar plexus via the
dorsolumbar nerve, which joins the anterior ramus of spinal nerve L1. Together,
these roots (T12, L1) form a common trunk which gives rise to the iliohypogastric
and ilioinguinal nerves. The anterior rami of L1 and L2 each give rise to a branch,
which go on to merge with one another to form the genitofemoral nerve.

Anatomy of the lumbar plexus

As the spinal rami of spinal nerves L2 - L4 course away from the lumbar vertebrae,
they divide into anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) divisions. The anterior
divisions merge with one another to form the obturator nerve. Sometimes, the
anterior divisions of L3 and L4 anterior rami may give branches that unite to form
an accessory obturator nerve. Fibers from the posterior divisions, on the other
hand, mainly unite to form the femoral nerve. The posterior divisions of L2 and L3
also give rise to branches that merge to form the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

The anterior ramus of L4 gives rise to an additional branch which goes on to merge
with the anterior ramus of L5 spinal nerve to form the lumbosacral trunk. The
lumbosacral trunk joins the anterior rami of sacral spinal nerves S1-S4 in the pelvis
to form the sacral plexus. Thus, this branch to the lumbosacral trunk serves as the
point of union between the lumbar and sacral plexuses.

Lumbar plexus
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Branches and innervation

Unlike the brachial plexus that undergoes several clear mergers and splits, the
lumbar plexus is not as straightforward. However, the main branches of the lumbar
plexus can be organised into groupings relative to the psoas major muscle. These
branches emerge either lateral, anterior or medial to the muscle:

Lateral: Iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, lateral cutaneous nerve of the

thigh and femoral nerve
Anterior: Genitofemoral nerve
Medial: Obturator nerve, accessory obturator nerve and nerve to lumbosacral
trunk

In addition, the lumbar plexus gives off several small motor muscular branches from
its roots that innervate the psoas major and quadratus lumborum.

Iliohypogastric nerve

The iliohypogastric nerve is formed from the

anteriorl ramus of spinal nerve L1 but may
receive a contributory branch from the anterior
rami of T12. It runs anterolaterally across the
lower posterior abdominal wall after emerging
from the superolateral border of the psoas
major muscle. This nerve is a mixed nerve that
provides both motor and sensory innervation to
the internal oblique and transversus abdominis
muscles and the skin of the posterolateral
gluteal region and suprapubic region
respectively. Iliohypogastric nerve
1/4
Nervus iliohypogastricus

Ilioinguinal nerve Synonyms: Iliopubic nerve, Nervus

iliopubicus

The ilioinguinal nerve, like the iliohypogastric,

arises from the anterior ramus of spinal nerve L1 and may also receive contributions
from the subcostal (T12) nerve. It runs inferior to the iliohypogastric nerve in a
similar inferolateral direction. The ilioinguinal nerve is a mixed nerve and similar to
the iliohypogastric nerve, it provides motor innervation to the internal oblique and
transversus abdominis muscles. The sensory fibers of the ilioinguinal nerve
innervate the skin over the upper medial thigh, and skin over parts of the external
genitalia.

Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh

The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, also called the lateral femoral cutaneous
nerve, is formed by fibers of the posterior divisions of the anterior rami of spinal
nerves L2 and L3. It emerges from the lateral border of the psoas major muscle and
courses inferolaterally to enter the iliac fossa, ultimately reaching the thigh. This
nerve provides sensory innervation to the peritoneum of the iliac fossa and iliac
fascia, and the skin of the anterior and lateral thigh (along the iliotibial tract) to the
knee.

Femoral nerve

The femoral nerve is the largest branch of the

lumbar plexus and is formed from the posterior
divisions of the anterior rami of spinal nerves
L2-L4. It emerges from the lower lateral border
of the psoas major muscle and passes below
the inguinal ligament lateral to the femoral
vessels to reach the thigh. This is a mixed nerve
that provides motor and sensory innervation to
the thigh and leg through several branches.

The femoral nerve provides motor supply to the

following muscles: Lateral femoral cutaneous
nerve
1/3
Nervus cutaneus lateralis
Flexors of the hip: pectineus, iliacus, sartorius femoris

Extensors of the knee: quadriceps femoris Synonyms: Lateral cutaneous nerve of

thigh
(rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus
lateralis, and vastus intermedius)

The femoral nerve provides sensory supply to the following regions:

Skin of anteromedial thigh

Skin of medial leg and foot

Genitofemoral nerve

The genitofemoral nerve originates from the

anterior rami of the spinal nerves L1 and L2. The
nerve emerges on the anterior surface of the
psoas major muscle and runs inferiorly, dividing
into two branches:

The genital branch runs through the inguinal

canal and supplies motor fibers to the
cremasteric muscle and sensory fibers to the
skin of the upper anterior scrotum in males. In
females, this branch provides sensory
innervation to the skin of the mons pubis and Genitofemoral nerve
1/2
Nervus genitofemoralis
labium majus.
The femoral branch courses posterior to the Synonyms: none

inguinal ligament and provides cutaneous

innervation to the skin of the upper anterior
thigh.

Do you know about these common mistakes that hinder your anatomy
learning? Be sure to avoid them when revising the lumbar plexus.

Obturator nerve

The obturator nerve emerges from the medial

border of the psoas major muscle and is formed
from the anterior divisions of the anterior rami
of spinal nerves L2-L4. This nerve is a mixed
nerve that enters the medial compartment of
the thigh through the obturator canal. The
obturator nerve provides motor supply to the
obturator externus, and adductors of the hip
(adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor
magnus, gracilis, and pectineus). It also provides
sensory supply to the skin of the medial thigh.
Obturator nerve
1/3
Accessory obturator nerve Nervus obturatorius

Synonyms: none
The accessory obturator nerve, when present,
also emerges from the medial border of the
psoas major muscle. It is typically formed by the anterior rami of spinal nerves L3
and L4. This nerve innervates the pectineus muscle and the hip joint.

To test your knowledge about the lumbar plexus, try out our quiz below:

Lumbar plexus supplies the abdominal wall, pelvis

START QUIZ
and lower limb (23 structures).

72 23
Basic structure Advanced structure
identification questions identification questions

Mnemonics

Remembering the main branches of the lumbar plexus may initially seem
daunting. However, it can be made easier using the phrase 'Interested In
Getting Lunch On Friday?', which will help you remember the following list
of structures:

Iliohypogastric n. (L1)
Ilioinguinal n. (L1)
Genitofemoral n. (L1, L2)
Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (L2, L3)
Obturator n. (L2, L3, L4)
Femoral n. (L2, L3, L4)

The following trick will also help remind you of the nerve roots associated
with each nerve:

2 nerves arise from one root: iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal from L1

2 nerves arise from 2 roots: genitofemoral from L1 & L2, and lateral
femoral cutaneous from L2 & L3
2 nerves arise from 3 roots: femoral and obturator from L2, L3 and L4

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The
information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research.
Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation
and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Richard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, Adam. W.M. Mitchell: Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 2nd
Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.).
Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41tst ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrators:

Lumbar plexus (anterior view) - Liene Znotina

Lumbar plexus (anterior view) - Begoña Rodriguez
Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (anterior view) - Hannah Ely

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