Muscular branches of femoral nerve

Muscular branches of femoral nerve

The femoral nerve provides several muscular branches, which supply motor innervation to muscles in both the pelvis and thigh. These branches include:

a) Branch to the Iliacus Muscle (L2-L3)

Before passing under the inguinal ligament, the femoral nerve gives off motor branches to the iliacus muscle, contributing to hip flexion.

b) Branch to the Pectineus Muscle (L2-L3)

Immediately after passing beneath the inguinal ligament and entering the thigh, the femoral nerve sends a motor branch to the pectineus muscle, assisting in hip flexion and adduction.

c) Branch to the Sartorius Muscle (L2-L3)

In the thigh, from the superficial (or anterior) division of the femoral nerve, a motor branch supplies the sartorius muscle, which contributes to hip flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation, as well as knee flexion.

d) Branches to the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles (L3-L4)

The deep (or posterior) division of the femoral nerve provides motor branches to all four heads of the quadriceps femoris group: Rectus Femoris, Vastus Intermedius, Vastus Medialis, and Vastus Lateralis. These muscles are primarily responsible for extending the knee joint, and the rectus femoris additionally aids in hip flexion.