Morphology of Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) of the thigh and its clinical significance

Background: The incidence of Meralgia Paresthetica (MP) is increasing and is related to various surgical procedures. The obvious reason is that the description of Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of thigh is inadequate. Aims and objectives: This study aims to record variations in origin of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, to compile the findings and to analyze the clinical aspect related to variations so recorded and to compare the study to previous studies. Methodology: The study was performed on 30 formalin embalmed cadavers in the department of anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala. The muscles of the posterior abdominal wall were exposed. The fibers of psoas major muscle were dissected from the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae and the nerves of lumbar plexus were exposed. Results: In all the specimens, it was found that the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was passing through the substance of psoas major muscle and emerged from its lateral border. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve showed its origin from L2 and L3 only in 46.6% of plexuses. In the rest of the cases, it showed variations in the morphological root value. It was found to be absent in 10 plexuses. It arose directly from femoral nerve in 5 plexuses. Conclusion: Meralgia Paraesthetica (MP) is very commonly overlooked or confused with femoral or sciatic pain or other nerve root impingements. The knowledge of anatomical variations of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of thigh is essential to the surgeons to avoid iatrogenic injury to the nerve and to the clinicians while treating the cases of meralgia paresthetica.