Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

Spring 2024 • 53

The Femoral Nerves The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve (PFCN) is a nerve that originates from the sacral plexus, a network of nerves that begin from the S1, S2 and S3 spinal nerve roots. The PFCN is responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin on the posterior aspect of the thigh, as well as the lower part of the buttocks and the back of the pelvis. The femoral nerve begins at the nerve roots of L2 to L4 and travels down the thigh. After it has formed from the nerve roots it is found on the lateral border of the psoas muscle before it runs deep to the inguinal ligament. It is one of the largest nerves of the body and provides both sensory and motor function to the muscles and skin of the anterior thigh. The femoral nerve primarily innervates the muscles of the anterior thigh, including the quadriceps muscles. It also supplies sensation to the front and inner side of the thigh, as well as the skin over the knee and the inner lower leg. The femoral nerve innervates the pectineus, iliacus, sartorius, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medius and rectus femoris muscles. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), also known as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, is a sensory nerve that arises from the lumbar plexus, a network of nerves originating from L2 and L3 spinal nerve roots. The LFCN provides sensory innervation to the skin on the lateral aspect of the thigh. 12 The pudendal nerve is a major nerve of the sacral plexus, a network of nerves originating from the S2, S3 and S4 spinal nerve roots. The pudendal nerve arises from the sacral plexus, specifically from the S2, S3 and S4 spinal nerve roots. This nerve exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, travels around the ischial spine (a bony prominence in the pelvis), and re-enters the pelvis through the lesser sciatic foramen. The pudendal nerve is responsible for innervating the bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, levator ani muscles and external urethral sphincter muscles, as well as providing sensory innervation to the genital and perineal regions. 13

SPINAL STENOSIS

Narrowing of the spinal canal

Sciatic nerve

HERNIATED DISC

Compressed spinal nerve

Nerves of the Low Back and Leg The tibial nerve originates from the sciatic nerve in the lower back and travels down the posterior leg, providing both sensory and motor function to the posterior compartment of the leg and the sole of the foot. The tibial nerve runs deep within the lower leg, passing through the posterior knee and continuing down into the calf. As this nerve courses down the posterior leg it passes inferiorly and posteriorly to the medial malleolus through the tarsal tunnel. This nerve supplies motor innervation to the muscles of both the posterior superficial and posterior deep compartments of the leg. The muscles in the posterior superficial compartment that are controlled by the tibial nerve are the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris. The muscles in the posterior deep compartment innervated by this nerve are the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, popliteus and many of the intrinsic foot muscles. In addition to motor function, the tibial nerve also carries sensory information from the skin of the heel, the posterior calf and the sole of the foot. The common fibular nerve , also known as the peroneal nerve, is a major nerve in the human body that branches off from the sciatic nerve and supplies both sensory and motor function to the muscles of the lower leg and foot. The common

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