Genitofemoral nerve

Origin The genitofemoral nerve is a branch of the lumbar plexus. Course It passes downwards, pierces the psoas major and emerges from its anterior surface. The nerve divides into two branches, the genital branch and the lumboinguinal nerve also known as the femoral branch, both of which then continue downwards and medially to the inguinal and femoral canal respectively. Branches Genital branch The genital branch continues downward on the surface of the psoas major muscle, then enters the inguinal canal through the deep inguinal ring. Embryology The genitofemoral nerve is formed in the midsection of the psoas muscle by the union of branches from the anterior rami of L1 and L2 nerve roots ==Function==

The genitofemoral nerve is responsible for both the sensory (femoral branch) and motor portions (genital branch) of the cremasteric reflex, which describes contraction of the cremasteric muscle when the skin of the superior medial part of the thigh is touched. ==Additional images==

File:Gray824.png|Deep and superficial dissection of the lumbar plexus. File:Slide6w.JPG|Genitofemoral nerve ==See also==