Lumbar nerve

The lumbar plexus

The Lumbar Nerve is a part of the Peripheral Nervous System that originates from the Lumbar Spine. It is one of the five pairs of spinal nerves that arise from the lumbar vertebrae and supply structures in the lower part of the body, particularly the legs.

Nerve plexus

Anatomy

The lumbar nerves are numbered L1 through L5, corresponding to the five lumbar vertebrae. Each lumbar nerve is connected to the spinal cord through a Spinal nerve root. The lumbar nerves exit the spinal column through the intervertebral foramen at each corresponding level.

Function

The lumbar nerves are responsible for motor and sensory innervation to the lower body, including the Buttocks, parts of the Thigh, and the lower leg. They also play a role in the control of the Bladder and Bowel.

Clinical Significance

Damage or compression of the lumbar nerves can lead to a variety of conditions, including Lumbar Radiculopathy, Sciatica, and Cauda equina syndrome. Diagnosis and treatment of these conditions often involve neurological and orthopedic specialists.

See Also

• Spinal nerve
• Lumbar plexus
• Lumbar vertebrae