During a fascia iliaca compartment block, the needle must pass through two distinct fascial layers before reaching the plane where local anesthetic is deposited to anesthetize the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves. Which two layers are these?

• A Scarpa's fascia and fascia lata
• B Camper's fascia and fascia iliaca
• C Fascia lata and iliopsoas fascia (iliopectineal fascia)
• D Fascia lata and fascia iliaca ✓

Explanation

The fascia iliaca compartment block targets the potential space between the fascia iliaca and the iliopsoas muscle, where the femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and obturator nerve are located. The needle must pass sequentially through the fascia lata (first pop) and then the fascia iliaca (second pop) to enter this compartment. Local anesthetic spreads in this interfascial plane to block all three nerves. The fascia iliaca is synonymous with the iliac fascia and forms the posterior wall of the femoral sheath.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.