What are the motor and sensory innervations and terminal branches of the anterior and posterior divisions of the femoral nerve?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 24, 2026 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Inervación Motora y Sensitiva del Nervio Femoral

Anatomía y Origen

El nervio femoral se origina de las divisiones dorsales de las ramas ventrales de las raíces espinales L2, L3 y L4 del plexo lumbar, siendo la rama más grande de este plexo. 1

Divisiones del Nervio Femoral

El nervio femoral emerge del músculo psoas mayor y se divide en ramas anteriores (divisiones anteriores) y ramas posteriores (divisiones posteriores) que inervan diferentes regiones musculares. 1

Inervación Motora

Ramas de la División Posterior

  • Músculo cuádriceps femoral: Responsable de la extensión de rodilla 1
    • Recto femoral: rama proximal a 0.19 ± 0.11 de la longitud del muslo desde el ligamento inguinal 2
    • Vasto lateral: rama proximal a 0.26 ± 0.08 y rama distal a 0.39 ± 0.07 2
    • Vasto intermedio: rama a 0.30 ± 0.05 2
    • Vasto medial: rama a 0.55 ± 0.06 (la más distal) 2

Ramas de la División Anterior

  • Músculo iliopsoas: Responsable de la flexión de cadera 1
  • Músculo sartorio: rama proximal a 0.20 ± 0.05 y rama distal a 0.43 ± 0.11 de la longitud del muslo 2

Inervación Sensitiva

Ramas Terminales Sensitivas

El nervio safeno es la rama terminal sensitiva más importante del nervio femoral, emergiendo frecuentemente como una bifurcación junto con la rama motora del sartorio dentro del canal aductor. 2

La inervación sensitiva del nervio femoral cubre:

  • Cara anterior y medial del muslo 1
  • Las lesiones del nervio femoral producen déficits sensoriales sobre estas regiones 1

Manifestaciones Clínicas de Lesión

La lesión del nervio femoral produce dolor anteromedial del muslo, parestesias, debilidad del cuádriceps (extensión de rodilla alterada), pérdida de reflejos tendinosos y déficits sensoriales sobre el muslo anterior y medial. 1

La neuropatía completa del plexo femoral resulta en debilidad motora, pérdida sensorial y pérdida flácida de reflejos tendinosos en todas las regiones inervadas por el nervio. 1

Nota Importante sobre Anatomía Quirúrgica

Las ramas motoras del nervio femoral tienen ubicaciones relativamente predecibles como proporciones de la longitud total del muslo (desde el ligamento inguinal hasta el borde superior de la rótula), lo cual es crucial para la exploración y reparación quirúrgica del nervio. 2

References

1
Guideline

Femoral Nerve: Anatomy, Function, Clinical Presentation, and Imaging Recommendations

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Related Questions

What are the anatomy, distribution, and innervation of the anterior and posterior branches of the femoral nerve?
Do certain physical positions, such as sitting on the floor with crossed legs or increased hip flexion, increase the risk of symptoms due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
What are the root origins, motor and sensory functions, and common lesions of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
What is the anatomical course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
Can unilateral hand coldness be caused by moderate-to-severe cervical spondylosis at C4‑5 and C5‑6 with radiculopathy?
What is the safest initial approach to evaluate and manage a patient with new or worsening neurological symptoms that seem linked to cumulative sodium intake?
What are the normal therapeutic trough plasma concentrations of norfluoxetine and the combined fluoxetine plus norfluoxetine (active moiety) in adults on standard fluoxetine doses?
What are the recommended losartan dosing guidelines for adults (hypertension, left‑ventricular hypertrophy, diabetic nephropathy, heart failure) and pediatric patients, and how should the dose be adjusted in renal impairment?
Is it appropriate to prescribe acetazolamide (Diamox) for a healthy adult traveler without contraindications who will be exposed to high altitude (>2,500 m) as prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness?
Can quetiapine cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question