Quick Facts
Origin: First lumbar nerve (L1).
Course: Runs obliquely towards the iliac crest.
Branches: Anterior and lateral cutaneous branch.
Supply: Skin of the hypogastric and gluteal regions.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The iliohypogastric nerve originates from the anterior ramus of the first lumbar nerve (L1).
Course
After splitting from the ilioinguinal nerve, the iliohypogastric nerve runs inferiorly and laterally towards the iliac crest. It runs between the quadratus lumborum muscle and kidney. It penetrates transversus abdominis and runs between it and internal abdominal oblique to the iliac spine.
Branches
The iliohypogastric nerve divides into the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches. It can communicate extensively with the ilioinguinal nerve.
Supplied Structures
The iliohypogastric nerve supplies sensory innervation to the skin over the hypogastric (pubic bone) region, upper thigh, and lateral gluteal region.
