Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh

Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh

The Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh, as illustrated in Gray's Anatomy.

The Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh (LCNT), also known as the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN), is a nerve in the human body that supplies the skin on the lateral part of the thigh. It is a branch of the Lumbar Plexus, originating from the dorsal divisions of the second and third lumbar nerves (L2, L3).

Anatomy

The LCNT leaves the pelvis through the lateral part of the psoas major, crosses the iliacus, and passes under the Inguinal Ligament near the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine. It then descends to the upper third of the thigh, where it divides into anterior and posterior branches.

The course and distribution of the LCNT.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the LCNT can result in a condition known as Meralgia Paresthetica, characterized by numbness, tingling, and burning pain in the outer part of the thigh.

See Also

• Femoral Nerve
• Obturator Nerve
• Nervous System