Bilateral high branching pattern of femoral nerve – A clinico-anatomical study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of reporting this case is to highlight the abnormal or higher branching pattern of the femoral nerve which is very rarely reported. Materials and Methods: The present anomaly was detected during routine course of cadaveric dissection of a 60 year old male cadaver. Result: The present case reports a very early division of the femoral nerve on both sides of the thigh of a 60 years old male cadaver. The femoral nerve descended through the psoas major muscle and divided into two branches; anterior and posterior, 4.1 cm above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament. Conclusion: Knowledge of this kind of variation in the branching pattern of femoral nerve has much academic and clinical value. Furthermore it will be extremely helpful to the surgeons to prevent iatrogenic injury to femoral nerve and for the anaesthetist to give successful block in the femoral nerve.