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Written By: S.E. Smith The lumbar plexus is a nerve plexus, an area which a group of spinal nerves intersect, which innervates muscles in the lower body. This cluster of nerves is part of the larger lumbosacral plexus, which includes the lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, and pudendal plexus. Understanding the location and function of the nerves in the lumbar plexus is important to medical practitioners in a number of fields. This nerve plexus includes the first four lumbar nerves, which innervate muscles in the calves, knees, groin, thighs, abdomen, and lower back. Patients who develop neurological problems in these areas may be examined by a neurologist who will determine where the source of the problems is; it may be in the spine, the lumbar plexus, or along the body of the nerve. Assessment of patients after accidents, spinal surgery, and spinal injuries also usually includes a detailed series of checks which are designed to determine whether any neurological problems have emerged, including an assessment of the nerves involved in the lumbosacral plexus. The psoas muscle houses the bundle of nerves in the lumbar plexus. The nerves can be buried quite deep, especially in heavier patients who may have deposits of fat over the psoas muscle which can make it difficult to identify and isolate. For surgery involving this area of the body, the patient may be placed on his or her stomach to allow the surgeon to access the area easily and safely. #pain #anatomy #lumber #neurology #neuroscience #neurosurgery #usmle #usmlestep1 #usmlestep2 #doctor #doctordconline #nhs #nurse #nursing #mbbs #md #medicine #medstudent #hospital #patient @doctordconline
