Ilioinguinal Nerve

Original Editor - Khloud Shreif

Top Contributors - Khloud Shreif, Candace Goh and Ines Musabyemariya

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Description

The ilioinguinal nerve is a mixed nerve that originates from the lumbar plexus. It emerges near the outer edge of the psoas major muscle and travels downward through the front of the abdominal wall. It stays beneath the peritoneum and passes in front of the quadratus lumborum muscle, continues downwards and obliquely across its surface, then it passes over the anterior surface of the iliacus muscle until it reaches the iliac crest. From there, it traverses through the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles. As it continues, it becomes visible near the groin area, passing through the superficial inguinal ring just in front of the spermatic cord in males.

Root

Originate from the anterior rami from L1 nerve roots in the lower back, in some cases it receives contribution from T12 or l2 in other cases upon its origin.

Branches

Ilioinguinal nerve gives motor branches to the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles when it passes through the posterior abdominal wall.

After existing though superficial inguinal ring it gives sensor branches; anterior labial nerve in females and anterior scrotal nerve in male

Function

Motor

The motor innervation to transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles

Sensory

Anterior labial nerve in females gives cutaneous innervation to anterior one-third of the labium majora, mons pubis, and root of clitoris.

Anterior scrotal nerve in males gives sensory innervation to skin of the anterior 1/3 of the scrotum and the root of the penis

In addition cutaneous innervation to the superior medial thigh.

Clinical relevance

Ilioinguinal nerve injuries frequently occur following abdominal surgery, abdominal wall trauma, accidently during surgery because of traumatic trochar from laparoscopic surgeries, or during inguinal hernia repairs. However, when the motor branches of the nerve are affected, it can result in weakened transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles, potentially leading to the development of inguinal hernias.

Furthermore, ilioinguinal nerve entrapment may also occur due to the presence of sutures in close proximity, leading to sensory disturbances along the nerve's path, a condition known as nerve entrapment.

Ilioinguinal neuralgia one of the common causes for chronic lower abdominal and anterior pelvic pain.