Which nerve innervates the iliacus muscle?

Which nerve innervates the iliacus muscle?

• A. Femoral
• B. Obturator
• C. Sciatic
• D. Tibial

Answer: (A)

The iliacus muscle is part of the anterior hip region and, with psoas major, forms the iliopsoas—the main hip flexor. Its motor supply comes from the femoral nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus (L2–L4) and travels under the inguinal ligament into the thigh to innervate muscles of the anterior compartment, including iliacus. The obturator nerve mainly supplies medial thigh muscles, while the sciatic (and its tibial branch) covers the posterior thigh and most of the leg. So the femoral nerve is the correct innervation for the iliacus.

The iliacus muscle is part of the anterior hip region and, with psoas major, forms the iliopsoas—the main hip flexor. Its motor supply comes from the femoral nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus (L2–L4) and travels under the inguinal ligament into the thigh to innervate muscles of the anterior compartment, including iliacus. The obturator nerve mainly supplies medial thigh muscles, while the sciatic (and its tibial branch) covers the posterior thigh and most of the leg. So the femoral nerve is the correct innervation for the iliacus.