Lower Extremity Sensory Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nerve Roots

  • L2
  • L3
  • L4
  • L5
  • S1
  • S2

L2

Motor:

  • hip flexion (iliopsoas): L2, L3, L4
  • hip adduction (adductors): L2, L3, L4
  • knee extension (quadriceps): L2, L3, L4

Reflex:

  • patellar (L2, L3, L4)

Sensation:

  • upper inner thigh

L3

Motor:

Reflex:

  • patellar (L2, L3, L4)

Sensation:

  • inner thigh above knee

L4

Motor:

  • hip abduction (gluteus medius and minimus): L4, L5, S1
  • knee flexion (hamstrings): L4, L5, S1, S2
  • dorsiflexion (tibialis anterior): L4, L5

Reflex:

  • patellar (L2, L3, L4)

Sensation:

  • knee

L5

Motor:

Reflex:

  • none

Sensation:

  • medial anterior foot (big toe)

S1

Motor:

  • hip extension (gluteus maximus): S1
  • plantarflexion (gastrocnemius, soleus): S1

Reflex:

  • ankle reflex

Sensation:

  • lateral calf/foot

S2

Motor:

Reflex:

Sensation:

  • medial/dorsal calf/foot

 

Nerves

  • lateral cutaneous
    n. of the thigh
  • ant. femoral
    cutaneous n.
  • post. femoral
    cutaneous n.
  • lateral cutaneous
    n. of the calf
  • peroneal
    nerve
  • sural
    nerve
  • saphenous
    nerve

origins and path

  • lumbar plexus: L2, L3
  • passes deep to inguinal ligament

musculature

sensory

  • skin on anterial and lateral thigh

origins and path

  • L2-L4 - lumbar plexus - femoral nerve

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory

origins and path

musculature

sensory