THE ANATOMY OF THE LATERAL CUTANEOUS NERVE OF THE THIGH - A POSSIBLE DONOR NERVE FOR FACIAL-NERVE REPAIR

One hundred anterior branches of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the th igh were dissected and measured in 50 adult cadavers. The results show that this nerve was present in all sides, and the average length from the point of the nerve piercing the fascia lata to the point of its f irst branch was about 79 mm, the average width was 2.25 mm, and the av erage thickness was 0.79 mm. It was found that the nerve was approxima tely along the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and the midpoint of the upper margin of the patella. This study presents a sim ple method of locating this nerve for clinical reference. The results also reveal that this nerve is a possible donor for facial nerve repai r.