Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

The LFCN is a pure sensory nerve that supplies the anterolateral thigh. The topics of Meralgia Paraesthetica and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injections are dealt with elsewhere.

Origin and Route

The LFCN arises from the lumbar plexus, originating from L2 and L3. It starts from between the superficial and deep parts of the psoas muscle and goes around the pelvis on the iliacus muscle between two layers of fascia. It then travels through an “aponeuroticofascial tunnel” that courses from the iliopubic tract to the inguinal ligament, under the inguinal ligament or through an opening in the lateral aspect at the ASIS. Around 10cm below the inguinal ligament, it exits through the superficial fascia of the thigh, and divides into anterior and posterior branches. It terminates in the skin of the anterolateral thigh.

Sensory Distribution

The LFCN has two branches, the anterior (larger) branch, and the posterior (smaller) branch. The anterior branch supplies the anterolateral thigh to the knee. The posterior branch supplies the greater trochanter to the area supplied by the anterior division.

Motor Distribution

There are no motor fibres.