Femoral nerve
The femoral nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It begins in the pelvis and separates into several smaller branches. These nerve branches control the movements of various leg muscles. The femoral nerve itself mainly controls the thigh muscles. It is responsible for hip bending and knee extension.
CAUTION: cases have occurred where the femoral nerve has erroneously been divided in meralgia paresthetica surgery.
Cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve may be injured during labor and/or delivery 1) (most are transient)
1)
O'Donnell D, Rottman R, Kotelko D, et al. Incidence of Maternal Postpartum Neurologic Dysfunction. Anesthesiology. 1994; 81