What is the spinal level for the femoral nerve?

What is the spinal level for the femoral nerve?

• A. L1, L2, L3
• B. L3, L4
• C. L2, L3, L4
• D. L2, L4

Answer: (C)

The femoral nerve comes from the lumbar plexus, formed by the ventral rami of L2, L3, and L4. These roots unite (primarily the posterior divisions) to give rise to the nerve as it travels between the psoas major and iliacus, then under the inguinal ligament into the thigh. Because these specific spinal levels contribute to the femoral nerve, its roots are L2, L3, and L4. This is why the correct understanding is that the femoral nerve spans L2 through L4, not just a single level or a different combination.

The femoral nerve comes from the lumbar plexus, formed by the ventral rami of L2, L3, and L4. These roots unite (primarily the posterior divisions) to give rise to the nerve as it travels between the psoas major and iliacus, then under the inguinal ligament into the thigh. Because these specific spinal levels contribute to the femoral nerve, its roots are L2, L3, and L4. This is why the correct understanding is that the femoral nerve spans L2 through L4, not just a single level or a different combination.