What are the two branches of the genitofemoral nerve and their spinal levels?

What are the two branches of the genitofemoral nerve and their spinal levels?

• A. Genital branch and pudendal branch; L2–L3
• B. Genitofemoral trunk; L3–L4
• C. Genital branch and femoral branch; L1–L2
• D. Genital branch and ilioinguinal branch; L1–L2

Answer: (C)

The genitofemoral nerve comes from the L1 and L2 ventral rami and splits into two branches: the genital branch and the femoral branch. The genital branch runs with the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal to innervate the cremaster muscle and provide sensory input to the anterior scrotal skin (and, in females, parts of the mons pubis and labia). The femoral branch goes under the inguinal ligament to supply sensation to the skin of the upper anterior thigh. So, the two branches are genital and femoral, at levels L1–L2. The other options mix in nerves that aren’t branches of the genitofemoral (like the pudendal nerve) or use incorrect branches or levels.

The genitofemoral nerve comes from the L1 and L2 ventral rami and splits into two branches: the genital branch and the femoral branch. The genital branch runs with the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal to innervate the cremaster muscle and provide sensory input to the anterior scrotal skin (and, in females, parts of the mons pubis and labia). The femoral branch goes under the inguinal ligament to supply sensation to the skin of the upper anterior thigh. So, the two branches are genital and femoral, at levels L1–L2. The other options mix in nerves that aren’t branches of the genitofemoral (like the pudendal nerve) or use incorrect branches or levels.