Chapter 3 - Lower Limb Nerve Supply

Abstract

The chapter provides a detailed analysis of all of the key nerves of the lower limb. First, an overview will be provided about the general layout of the lower limb. This will enable the reader to gain a greater understanding of the main anatomical regions of the lower limb, and will also detail the embryological development of the lower limb. Then an overview of the main muscles in each region will be given along with an account of the nervous innervation of the major areas. Following the orientation of the lower limb anatomy, a detailed account of the main sensory nerve and motor and sensory nerves together will be given. The chapter will provide greater in-depth analysis of the cutaneous innervation examining the subcostal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, genitofemoral nerve, lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh, anterior cutaneous branches, cutaneous nerve of obturator nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh, saphenous nerve, superficial fibular nerve, deep fibular nerve, sural nerve, medial and lateral plantar nerves, and the cluneal nerve in various sections. Further, the motor and sensory nerves namely the superior gluteal nerve, inferior gluteal nerve, nerve to quadratus femoris, pudendal nerve, nerve to obturator internus, femoral nerve, sciatic nerve, obturator nerve, tibial nerve, common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, and deep peroneal nerve will be examined in great detail. Clinical examination of these nerves in terms of how to approach the patient, and hints and tips on how to effectively examine each of these nerves will be discussed. In addition, to place it into clinical context, related pathologies and findings on clinical examination would be given, as relevant.