Genito Femoral Nerve

  • Arises from the lumbar plexus. 
  • It supplies sensation to the skin of the anterior scrotal area in males, mons pubis in females, and the upper segment of the anterior thigh in both males and females.
  •  While distinct from the femoral nerve, the genitofemoral nerve originates from the upper lumbar segments L1-L2.

Genitofemoral Nerve


  •  It then descends inferiorly, piercing the psoas major muscle before emerging on its anterior surface. 
  • The nerve then traverses the retroperitoneum, descending over the anterior surface of the psoas muscle. 

Genito Femoral Nerve


  • The nerve continues inferiorly ultimately separating into two divisions- the femoral and the genital branches. 
  • As the genitofemoral nerve reaches the groin area, it enters the deep inguinal ring coursing through the inguinal canal.

Genitofemoral neuralgia

  • A common source of neuropathic pain that is incapacitating in nature is genitofemoral neuralgia. 
  • It is distinguished by persistent, localized neuropathic groin pain that runs parallel to the genitofemoral nerve's distribution. 
  • A burning sensation that extends from the lower belly to the medial portion of the thigh is one of the symptoms, along with groin pain and paresthesias.
  • Iatrogenic nerve damage that occurs during inguinal and femoral herniorrhaphy  has been linked to genitofemoral neuropathy.

Genitofemoral Nerve Block

Indications

  • Management of groin pain, inguinal pain, pelvic pain, suprapubic pain, and/or vaginal or penile pain
  • Inguinal herniorrhaphy
  • Saphenous vein stripping
  • Genitofemoral neuralgia

Genitofemoral nerve block

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References

and Interesting Articles


  • Gupton M, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Genitofemoral Nerve. [Updated 2021 Oct 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430733/
  • Cesmebasi A, Yadav A, Gielecki J, Tubbs RS, Loukas M. Genitofemoral neuralgia: a review. Clin Anat. 2015 Jan;28(1):128-35. doi: 10.1002/ca.22481. Epub 2014 Nov 5. PMID: 25377757.
  • Perry CP. Laparoscopic treatment of genitofemoral neuralgia. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 1997 Feb;4(2):231-4. doi: 10.1016/s1074-3804(97)80015-1. PMID: 9050733.
  • Shanthanna H. Successful treatment of genitofemoral neuralgia using ultrasound guided injection: a case report and short review of literature. Case Rep Anesthesiol. 2014;2014:371703. doi: 10.1155/2014/371703. Epub 2014 Apr 6. PMID: 24804105; PMCID: PMC3997858.
  • Sasaoka N, Kawaguchi M, Yoshitani K, Kato H, Suzuki A, Furuya H. Evaluation of genitofemoral nerve block, in addition to ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block, during inguinal hernia repair in children. Br J Anaesth. 2005 Feb;94(2):243-6. doi: 10.1093/bja/aei031. Epub 2004 Nov 26. PMID: 15567812.
  • Trescot A (2015). Genitofemoral nerve block. Diwan S, & Staats P.S.(Eds.), Atlas of Pain Medicine Procedures. McGraw Hill. https://accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1158&sectionid=64179412


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