Corpus: Ilioinguinal nerve

The ilioinguinal nerve is a nerve that arises from the lumbar plexus (segment Th12 to L1). It carries general somatosensory and somatomotor fibres.

The nerve initially runs dorsal to the psoas major muscle on the quadratus lumborum muscle. Slightly cranial to the crista iliaca, it pierces the transversus abdominis muscle and then runs ventrally between this muscle and the obliquus internus abdominis muscle.

Like the iliohypogastric nerve, it runs medially parallel to the inguinal ligament. It finally breaks through the superficial inguinal annulus and runs outside the spermatic funiculus on the inner edge of the inguinal canal. The nerve does not pass through the inguinal profundus.

Muscle branches[Bearbeiten]

With its motor branches (rami musculares), the ilioinguinal nerve supplies the caudal parts of the transversus abdominis muscle and the obliquus internus abdominis muscle.

Cutaneous branches[Bearbeiten]

The cutaneous branches (rami cutanei) sensitively supply the ventromedial skin of the thigh adjacent to the genitals and the skin above the symphysis pubica. The fibres that supply the genital region are named differently in men and women:

Nervi scrotales anteriores[Bearbeiten]

With its anterior scrotal nerves, the ilioinguinal nerve supplies the anterior part of the scrotum and the area of the base of the penis in men.

As a variety, the anterior scrotal nerves can also originate from the genital ramus of the genitofemoral nerve.

Nervi labiales anteriores[Bearbeiten]

The anterior labial nerves supply the labia majora in women.

The supply area of the ilioinguinal nerve can also be served by a branch of the iliohypogastric nerve as a variant. The nerve is then very weak or completely absent.

Due to its close topographical relationship to the kidneys, damage to the nerve can occur during kidney operations. Irritation of the ilioinguinal nerve in the groin area can radiate into the kidney region. It can be compressed in the area where it emerges through the abdominal wall muscles, which is known as ilioinguinal nerve syndrome.

The nerve transmits the afferent stimulus of the cremasteric reflex.