Which nerve is associated with sensation to the outer thigh and is a key sensory nerve of the lateral thigh region?

Which nerve is associated with sensation to the outer thigh and is a key sensory nerve of the lateral thigh region?

• A. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
• B. Obturator nerve
• C. Genitofemoral nerve
• D. Iliohypogastric nerve

Answer: (A)

Sensation of the outer thigh is carried mainly by a pure sensory nerve that travels from the lower spine (L2–L3) and runs toward the lateral aspect of the thigh as it passes near the anterior superior iliac spine and under the inguinal ligament. This nerve, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, is specifically responsible for the skin sensation in the lateral thigh region, making it the best answer for a question about sensation to the outer thigh. The other nerves have different targets: the obturator nerve supplies the medial thigh and motor to the adductors; the genitofemoral nerve provides sensation to the genital region and a small area of the anterior thigh; and the iliohypogastric nerve supplies the suprapubic/iliac crest region. Their territories do not correspond to the outer/lateral thigh, which is why they aren’t the correct choice here.

Sensation of the outer thigh is carried mainly by a pure sensory nerve that travels from the lower spine (L2–L3) and runs toward the lateral aspect of the thigh as it passes near the anterior superior iliac spine and under the inguinal ligament. This nerve, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, is specifically responsible for the skin sensation in the lateral thigh region, making it the best answer for a question about sensation to the outer thigh.

The other nerves have different targets: the obturator nerve supplies the medial thigh and motor to the adductors; the genitofemoral nerve provides sensation to the genital region and a small area of the anterior thigh; and the iliohypogastric nerve supplies the suprapubic/iliac crest region. Their territories do not correspond to the outer/lateral thigh, which is why they aren’t the correct choice here.