Corpus: Saphenous nerve

The saphenous nerve is a sensory terminal branch of the femoral nerve, originating from the lumbar plexus.

The saphenous nerve travels alongside the femoral artery and vein through the adductor canal. It penetrates the vastus adductor membrane and, originating medially and branches out the infrapatellar ramus near the lower end of the patella. It then proceeds epifascially alongside the great saphenous vein on the medial aspect of the lower leg, distributing numerous medial crural cutaneous branches.

The saphenous nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the skin on the medial side of the lower leg, corresponding to the dermatomes L3 and L4, in conjunction with the medial crural cutaneous nerves. It also innervates the skin above the tibial tuberosity, extending distally from the patella via the infrapatellar branch.

A fracture near the ankle may cause damage to the saphenous nerve, leading to a subsequent loss of sensation along the medial side of the lower leg and the medial border of the foot.