Revisiting the genital and femoral branches of the genitofemoral nerve: Suggestion for a more accurate terminology

Abstract

The genitofemoral nerve is a branch of the lumbar plexus originating from the ventral rami of the first and second lumbar spinal nerves. During routine dissections of this nerve, we have occasionally observed that the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve gave rise to the femoral branch, and the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve gave rise to the genital branch. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the aforementioned distributions of the genitofemoral nerve in a large number of cadaveric specimens. Twenty-four sides from fourteen fresh-frozen cadavers derived from nine males and five females were used in this study. For proximal branches of the genitofemoral nerve, that is, as they first arise from the genitofemoral nerve, the terms "medial branch" and "lateral branch" were used. For the final distribution, the terms "genital branch" and "femoral branch" were used. On eight sides (33.3%) with nine branches, one or two branch(s) from either the medial or lateral branch became coursed as the femoral or genital branches (five became femoral and four became genital branches). Our study revealed that the distribution of the genitofemoral nerve is more complicated than previously described. The "medial branch" and "lateral branch" that we have used in the present study for describing the proximal branches of the genitofemoral nerve are more practical terms to describe the genitofemoral nerve.

Intraoperative Nerve Stimulation as an Approach for the Surgical Treatment of Genitofemoral Neuralgia

“…Multiple anatomic variations of the genitofemoral nerve exist, which can influence surgical treatment and outcome. One study suggests that when describing the branches of the genitofemoral nerve, using the terms “medial branch” and “lateral branch” is favorable to using “femoral branch” and “genital branch” because of the extra subdivisions that sprout from these initial divisions of the genitofemoral nerve [ 12 ]. Thus, intraoperative nerve stimulation can be advantageous, especially when considering how common anatomical variations are within the inguinal region [ 13 ].…”

Unusual Origin of the Anterior Scrotal Nerve: A Case Report

“…Of note, “type D” stated that in 7.8% of their cadavers, both the ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves supplied innervation to the scrotal area, bilaterally [5]. Iwanaga et al revisited the anatomy of the genitofemoral nerve and suggested a new terminology for the branches of the genitofemoral nerve based on its proximal course i.e., medial and lateral branches [6]. Also, the ilioinguinal nerve can be replaced by the iliohypogastric nerve or the genital or femoral branches of the genitofemoral nerve [7].…”

Review: Pelvic nerves – from anatomy and physiology to clinical applications

“…One of the conclusions was that the pudendal nerve was both somatic and autonomic, located below the levator ani muscle, as opposed to the general thought that the pudendal nerve is purely somatic [ 16 ]. All somatic nerves are accompanied by postsynaptic sympathetic fibers from the lumbar and sacral sympathetic chain to supply the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, sweat glands and apocrine glands, andarrector pili muscle of hair follicle of the skin, and also the bone marrow (which modulates the immune system) of the corresponding regions [ 34 , 62 , 63 , 64 ].…”