Ilioinguinal Nerve
Original Editor - Khloud Shreif
Top Contributors - Khloud Shreif, Candace Goh and Ines Musabyemariya
Description[edit | edit source]
The ilioinguinal nerve is a mixed nerve that originates from the lumbar plexus. It emerges near the outer edge of the psoas major muscle and travels downward through the front of the abdominal wall. It stays beneath the peritoneum and passes in front of the quadratus lumborum muscle, continues downwards and obliquely across its surface, then it passes over the anterior surface of the iliacus muscle until it reaches the iliac crest. From there, it traverses through the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles. As it continues, it becomes visible near the groin area, passing through the superficial inguinal ring just in front of the spermatic cord in males.
Root[edit | edit source]
Originate from the anterior rami from L1 nerve roots in the lower back, in some cases it receives contribution from T12 or l2 in other cases upon its origin.
Branches[edit | edit source]
Ilioinguinal nerve gives motor branches to the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles when it passes through the posterior abdominal wall.
After existing though superficial inguinal ring it gives sensor branches; anterior labial nerve in females and anterior scrotal nerve in male
Function[edit | edit source]
Motor[edit | edit source]
Sensory[edit | edit source]
Anterior labial nerve in females gives sensory innervation to mons pubis, labium majora and root of clitoris.
Anterior scrotal nerve in males gives sensory innervation to skin of the anterior 1/3 of the scrotum and the root of the penis
