Morphological Variation of Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve of the Thigh

Introduction: The lumbar plexus is one of the potential anatomical fileds in showing anatomical variations. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve study and its variations are important as meralgia paraesthetica is commonly over looked by surgeons and physicians. Aims and objectives: This study aims to record variations in lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and to analyze the clinical aspect related to variations. Methodology: The study was performed on 22 formalin embalmed human cadavers used for undergraduate dissection in the department of anatomy, Osmania medical college. The muscles of the posterior abdominal wall were exposed. The fibers of psoas major muscle were dissected and lumbar plexus were exposed. Results: Out of 22 human cadavers, in one it was found that the lateral femoral cutaneous on right side was piercing the inguinal ligament which has higher chances of nerve entrapment leading to meralgia paraesthetica. Conclusion: Meralgia Paraesthetica (MP) is very commonly overlooked or confused with femoral or sciatic pain or other nerve root impingements. The knowledge of its anatomical variations is essential to the surgeons to avoid iatrogenic injury to the nerve and to the clinicians while treating the cases of meralgia paresthetica.