The ilioinguinal nerve arises in common with the iliohypogastric nerve from the anterior division of the first lumbar nerve. It may also receive a branch from the twelfth thoracic nerve. It is located below the iliohypogastric nerve, diverges from it in its onward course, and crosses the upper part of the iliacus muscle to pierce the transversus abdominis muscle near the anterior extremity of the iliac crest. It communicates with the iliohypogastric nerve above the iliac crest, where it lies between the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles. It passes through the internal oblique muscle anterior to the anterior superior spine of the ilium. It then runs in front of the cremaster muscle and spermatic cord through the inguinal canal. From there it emerges through the superficial inguinal ring. It supplies muscular branches to the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and pyramidalis muscles. It also supplies cutaneous branches to the skin of the scrotum or labium and the upper and medial part of the thigh.

Nervus ilioinguinalis

Nerf ilio-inguinal