Saphenous nerve

The saphenous nerve is the only superficial branch of the femoral nerve. It arises from the femoral nerve before this nerve leaves the m. iliopsoas. After living the m. iliopsas, the saphenous nerve becomes related to the medial surface of the m. tensor fasciae latae and immediately divides into muscular and cutaneous branches. The muscular branch is lacking in many specimens, arising directly from the femoral nerve.

• The muscular branch innervates the cranial and caudal parts of the m. sartorius.

• The cutaneous branch lies in apposition to the cranial surface of the femoral artery as it runs distally across the medial surface of the quadriceps muscle. It sends branches to the skin of the middle and distal medial surfaces of the thigh, the deep structures of the medial surface of the stifle, the skin of the medial surface of the stifle joint. Distal to the stifle joint, the saphenous nerve continues with the cranial branch of the saphenous vessels and supplies branches to the medial, cranial and craniolateral skin of the crus. In the paw, it supplies the skin of the dorsomedial part of the tarsus and metatarsus and ends in the skin over the first digit (when present).