The femoral nerve emerges from the lateral border of psoas major and passes under the inguinal ligament lateral to the femoral vessels. It divides immediately below the inguinal ligament. Which is the LARGEST and most clinically important branch that continues down the medial side of the leg to the medial malleolus?

• A Saphenous nerve ✓
• B Medial cutaneous nerve of thigh
• C Obturator nerve
• D Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

Explanation

The saphenous nerve is the largest and longest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve. It accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral (adductor) canal, then emerges at the adductor hiatus to accompany the great saphenous vein, providing sensation to the medial aspect of the leg from below the knee to the medial malleolus. It is vulnerable during great saphenous vein harvesting (for CABG), knee surgery, and femoral canal procedures. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is from L2-L3 directly (not femoral nerve) and supplies the lateral thigh.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.