- Lumbar plexus
Infobox Nerve
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = plexus lumbalis
GraySubject = 212
GrayPage = 949
Caption = Plan of lumbar plexus.
Caption2 = The lumbar plexus and its branches.
Innervates =
BranchFrom = L1-L4
BranchTo =
MeshName = Lumbosacral+Plexus
MeshNumber = A08.800.800.720.450
DorlandsPre = p_24
DorlandsSuf = 12648073
The lumbar plexus is anervous plexus in thelumbar region of the body. It is formed by the loops of communication between theanterior divisions of the first three and the greater part of the fourthlumbar nerves ; the first lumbar often receives a branch from the lastthoracic nerve .It is situated in the posterior part of the
Psoas major , in front of the transverse processes of thelumbar vertebræ .The mode in which the
plexus is arranged varies in different subjects.Branches
The lumbar plexus differs from the brachial plexus in not forming an intricate interlacement, but the several nerves of distribution arise from one or more of the spinal nerves, in the following manner: the first lumbar nerve, frequently supplemented by a twig from the last thoracic, splits into an upper and lower branch; the upper and larger branch divides into the
iliohypogastric andilioinguinal nerves; the lower and smaller branch unites with a branch of the second lumbar to form thegenitofemoral nerve .The remainder of the second lumbar nerve, and the third and fourth lumbar nerves, divide into ventral and dorsal divisions.
The ventral division of the second lumbar nerve unites with the ventral divisions of the third and fourth lumbar nerves to form the obturator nerve.
The dorsal divisions of the second and third nerves divide into two branches, a smaller branch from each uniting to form the
lateral femoral cutaneous nerve , and a larger branch from each joining with the dorsal division of the fourth nerve to form the femoral nerve.The accessory obturator, when it exists, is formed by the union of two small branches given off from the third and fourth nerves.
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