Femoral Nerve Anatomy and Palpation

Assuming a patient presents with isolated sensory loss over the anteromedial aspect of the thigh, but with intact motor function and patellar reflex, which specific branch of the femoral nerve is MOST likely implicated in this presentation?

A high-grade lesion (neurotmesis) of the femoral nerve at the level of the inguinal ligament would typically spare the function of the iliacus muscle due to its proximal innervation directly from the lumbar plexus.

Following surgical intervention in the femoral triangle, a patient exhibits weakness in knee extension, sensory loss over the anterior thigh and medial lower leg, and a diminished patellar reflex. Based on these findings, what single, most proximal anatomical structure is MOST likely compromised?

In the context of femoral nerve pathology, a positive femoral nerve traction test, coupled with symptom reproduction, suggests increased neural tension or restriction, particularly proximally within the ______ or along its course through the pelvis.

Match the following clinical findings with the most likely underlying mechanism of femoral nerve injury:

Which of the following clinical presentations would MOST strongly suggest a lesion affecting the saphenous nerve specifically, distal to its origin from the femoral nerve?

Iatrogenic femoral nerve injury is exclusively associated with surgical procedures directly within the femoral triangle, and is rarely a consequence of more proximal interventions such as hip arthroplasty.

Describe the expected sensory distribution deficit following complete transection of the femoral nerve at the level of the inguinal ligament, explicitly naming BOTH the affected cutaneous regions and the spared areas due to overlapping innervation.

In differentiating between a neuropraxic and axonotmetic femoral nerve injury, serial nerve conduction studies would reveal ______ in conduction velocity across the affected segment in neuropraxia, while axonotmesis would demonstrate ______ distal to the lesion site after a period of several weeks.

Match each described scenario with the most likely palpatory finding related to the femoral nerve or its branches:

Which specific aspect of the prone knee bending test is MOST critical in differentiating femoral nerve involvement from lumbar radiculopathy affecting the L2-L4 nerve roots?

Given its function, isolated damage to the saphenous nerve will result in noticeable gait abnormalities due to impaired proprioception from the medial aspect of the lower leg.

Beyond standard neurological examination, what specific electrodiagnostic study finding would BEST differentiate between a femoral neuropathy at the inguinal ligament and an L3 nerve root lesion impacting the femoral nerve?

In cases of suspected femoral nerve compression due to psoas muscle hypertrophy, conservative management should initially focus on ______ of the psoas, and addressing any underlying postural imbalances or biomechanical dysfunctions.

Match the type of nerve injury below with the description:

In the context of femoral nerve injuries, which of the following MOIs (Mechanism of Injury) would most likely precipitate a neurotmesis type of injury?

Inability to control knee motion during walking gait can be a sign/symptom related to sensory degeneration.

The femoral nerve exits from what nerve roots from the lumbar plexus?

The anterior branch of the femoral nerve supplies pectineus and ______ and gives off the anterior cutaneous branch which gives sensory innervation to most of the anterior thigh.

Match the following cutaneous areas with the related nerve that innervates it:

Which of these tests is related to the saphenous nerve?

In the femoral triangle, the femoral nerve is the medial-most structure.

4cm distal to the inguinal ligament, the femoral nerve divides into two branches. Name them.

The posterior branch of the femoral nerve gives off a branch called the ______ which gives sensory innervation to the medial lower leg.

Match the function with the muscle.

Which of the following would describe a degeneration sign/symptom related to the femoral nerve?

Loss of sensation over front and medial side of thigh, medial aspect of lower leg and foot are motor signs and symptoms of degeneration.

Name the three injuries that the femoral nerve can be subject to.

Loss of knee extension and some hip flexion is related to ______ signs & symptoms (degeneration).

Match the following MOIs with its description.

Which of the following is the purpose of palpating affected tissue?

We palpate the saphenous branch most directly about a palm width below the ASIS directly over the rec fem.

In your own words, define what the femoral triangle is.

The femoral nerve exits L2-L4 and runs either through or along the inferior edge of ______ through the abdomen.

Match the test and procedure as follows:

What does the abbreviation MOI stand for?

Inability to control knee motion during running gait is a motor dysfunction.

Describe how to perform palpation on the saphenous branch.

The femoral nerve also gives rise to the ______ nerve, which is a large cutaneous nerve that follows a similar path to the great saphenous vein down the medial lower limb.

Match the signs and symptoms (degeneration) with either motor or sensory type.