Which nerve is the primary sensory innervation to the medial thigh?

Which nerve is the primary sensory innervation to the medial thigh?

• A. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
• B. Genitofemoral nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Obturator nerve

Answer: (D)

The key idea is identifying which nerve supplies sensation to the inner (medial) thigh. The obturator nerve, arising from L2–L4, travels through the obturator canal to the medial thigh and provides cutaneous branches that carry sensory information from that skin area. It also innervates most of the adductor muscles of the thigh. The other nerves cover different regions: the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve goes to the lateral thigh; the genitofemoral nerve supplies the upper anterior thigh and external genitalia; the femoral nerve mainly serves the anterior thigh and gives the saphenous branch to parts of the leg. Therefore, the primary sensory innervation of the medial thigh is from the obturator nerve.

The key idea is identifying which nerve supplies sensation to the inner (medial) thigh. The obturator nerve, arising from L2–L4, travels through the obturator canal to the medial thigh and provides cutaneous branches that carry sensory information from that skin area. It also innervates most of the adductor muscles of the thigh. The other nerves cover different regions: the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve goes to the lateral thigh; the genitofemoral nerve supplies the upper anterior thigh and external genitalia; the femoral nerve mainly serves the anterior thigh and gives the saphenous branch to parts of the leg. Therefore, the primary sensory innervation of the medial thigh is from the obturator nerve.