Femoral nerve
The femoral nerve ("thigh nerve ") is a nerve of the peripheral nervous system that is isolated from the lumbosacral plexus (lumbar plexus). It has its origin in humans in the first to fourth lumbar segment (L1-L4) of the spinal cord , in other mammals in the posterior lumbar segment (L3-L6). From there it runs with the psoas major muscle through the lacuna musculorum ( muscle port) to the thigh .
Muscle branches
The femoral nerve innervates a number of muscles:
- Psoas major muscle
- Psoas minor muscle
- Iliacus muscle
- Quadriceps femoris muscle
- Sartorius muscle
- Pectineus muscle
Saphenous nerve
On the thigh, the saphenous nerve separates from the femoral nerve (Arabic: safin "hidden"). It pulls with the femoral artery ( arteria femoralis ) to the inside of the thigh and supplies the inside of the leg (corresponding to the hind limb in animals) up to the metatarsus.
Femoral paralysis
Because of the numerous muscles supplied by the femoral nerve, paralysis leads to serious movement disorders. The active flexion of the hip joint can no longer take place (psoas group), people can no longer stand up from lying down, animals can barely show their hind legs. The knee is in the bent position and can no longer be straightened on its own (quadriceps). The leg therefore kinks when stepping on or is no longer set up at all (this is the norm with dogs ). The patellar tendon reflex is disturbed or completely absent.
Femoral nerve block
The femoral nerve block ( femoral nerve block , 3-in-1 block ) is a regional anesthetic procedure that enables surgical interventions on the leg or lower extremity . Local anesthetics are injected in the area of the groin ( inguinal ) , which reversibly blocks the nerves of the lumbar plexus , mainly the femoral nerve, and to a lesser extent the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and the obturator nerve . The femoral nerve blockade is a relatively simple procedure that has few side effects. In addition to a single injection, the insertion of a pain catheter ( femoral catheter ) for continuous pain therapy is also often used .
literature
- Martin Trepel: Neuroanatomy. Structure and function. 3rd revised edition. Urban & Fischer, Munich et al. 2004, ISBN 3-437-41297-3 .
- Franz-Viktor Salomon: nervous system, systema nervosum. In: Franz-Viktor Salomon, Hans Geyer, Uwe Gille (Ed.): Anatomy for veterinary medicine. Enke, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8304-1007-7 , pp. 464-577.