The genitofemoral nerve - also known as the genitocrural nerve - is a mixed nerve that originates from the lumbar plexus and innervates the upper, anterior thigh, and skin in the anterior aspect of the scrotum in males or labia majora in females.

This nerve arises from the ventral rami of the first and second lumbar nerves (L1 - L2). The genitofemoral nerve penetrates the psoas major muscle and emerges on its anterior surface, where it splits into two branches, the femoral and genital branches.

The femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve passes through the vascular lacuna (a comparment in the lateral thigh below the inguinal ligament), at the region of the saphenous opening pierces the fascia lata and innervates the skin in the femoral triangle.
The genital branch penetrates the dorsal wall of the inguinal canal and innervates the spermatic cord and the skin of the scrotum in a male, while in a female it innervates the round ligament of the uterus and the skin of the labia majora.

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Genitofemoral nerve