A cutaneous nerve is a

nerve A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibers (called axons) in the peripheral nervous system. A nerve transmits electrical impulses. It is the basic unit of the peripheral nervous system. A nerve provides a common pathway for the e ...

that provides

nerve supply to the skin Cutaneous innervation refers to the area of the skin which is supplied by a specific cutaneous nerve. Dermatomes are similar; however, a dermatome only specifies the area served by a spinal nerve. In some cases, the dermatome is less specific (wh ...

Human anatomy

human anatomy The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body. It comprises a he ...

, cutaneous nerves are primarily responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin. In addition to sympathetic and autonomic afferent (sensory) fibers, most cutaneous nerves also contain sympathetic efferent (visceromotor) fibers, which innervate cutaneous blood vessels, sweat glands, and the

arrector pilli The arrector pili muscles, also known as hair erector muscles, are small muscles attached to hair follicles in mammals. Contraction of these muscles causes the hairs to stand on end, known colloquially as goose bumps (piloerection). Structure ...

muscles of hair follicles. These structures are important to the sympathetic nervous response. There are many cutaneous nerves in the human body, only some of which are named. Some of the larger cutaneous nerves are as follows:

Upper body

* In the arm (proper) ** Superior lateral cutaneous nerve of arm (Superior LCNOA) ** Inferior lateral cutaneous nerve of arm (Inferior LCNOA) ** Posterior cutaneous nerve of arm (PCNOA) ** Medial cutaneous nerve of arm (MCNOA) * In the forearm ** Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm (LCNOF) ** Posterior cutaneous nerve of forearm (PCNOF) ** Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm (MCNOF)

Lower body

* In the thigh **

Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (also called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) is a cutaneous nerve of the thigh. It originates from the dorsal divisions of the second and third lumbar nerves from the lumbar plexus. It passes under t ...

(LCNOT) **

Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh The posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh (also called the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve) is a sensory nerve in the thigh. It supplies the skin of the posterior surface of the thigh, leg, buttock, and also the perineum. Structure The pos ...

(PCNOT)

Other

*In the

torso The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a human � ...

Ventral cutaneous branches The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a human — ...

** Lateral cutaneous branches **

Dorsal cutaneous branches The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a human — ...

*In the neck & head: **

Supraorbital nerve The supraorbital nerve is one of two branches of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve. The other branch of the frontal nerve is the supratrochlear nerve. Structure The supraorbital nerve branches from the frontal nerve mid ...

Infraorbital nerve The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve, itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It travels through the orbit and enters the infraorbital canal to exit onto the face through the infraorbital foramen. It provides sensory ...

** Mental nerve ** Buccal nerve ** Auriculotemporal nerve ** Supraclavicular nerves (C3, C4) ** Great auricular nerve (C2, C3) **

Greater occipital nerve The greater occipital nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a spinal nerve, specifically the medial branch of the dorsal primary ramus of cervical spinal nerve 2. It arises from between the first and second cervical vertebrae, ascends, and then p ...

(C2)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cutaneous Nerve Peripheral nervous system