Main nerves of the lower limb – Anatomy Atlas

Table of Contents

Overview

Lower limb nerves (anterior view)

The main nerve of the anterior thigh is the femoral nerve. It originates from the lumbar plexus and extends to the knee, supplying motor innervation to muscles along its path. The second major nerve is the saphenous nerve. This is the largest branch of the femoral nerve and extends down the medial aspect of the limb, supplying sensory innervation to the knee, leg and foot.

Lower limb nerves (posterior view)

The main nerve branch of the sacral plexus is the sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in your body supplying the entire skin of the leg, and muscles of the posterior thigh, leg and foot. At its terminal end, the sciatic nerve divides into the tibial nerve and common fibular nerve, which go on to supply the posterior and anterolateral compartments of the leg, respectively.

Keypoints

Key points about the main nerves of the lower limb
Main nerves of the lower limb	Obturator nerve, sciatic nerve, femoral nerve, saphenous nerve, tibial nerve, sural nerve, common fibular nerve, medial plantar nerve, lateral plantar nerve
Lower limb region supplied by each nerve	Hip: Gluteal nerves, pudendal nerve, sciatic nerve Thigh: Femoral nerve, saphenous nerve Leg: Tibial nerve, common fibular nerve, superficial fibular nerve, deep fibular nerve Foot: Lateral plantar nerve, medial plantar nerve, common plantar digital nerves, dorsal digital nerves