Which nerve is NOT derived from the sacral plexus among the following options?

Which nerve is NOT derived from the sacral plexus among the following options?

• A. Femoral nerve
• B. Tibial nerve
• C. Superficial peroneal nerve
• D. Deep peroneal nerve

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing where these nerves originate in the plexus system. The femoral nerve comes from the lumbar plexus (L2–L4) and travels to the anterior thigh, providing motor to the quadriceps and sensory to the anterior thigh and medial leg. In contrast, the tibial nerve and the peroneal nerves (superficial and deep) are branches of the sciatic nerve, which arises from the sacral plexus (via the pudendal and other sacral branches). The superficial and deep peroneal nerves are divisions of the common fibular nerve, itself a branch of the sciatic nerve, while the tibial nerve is the other major branch of the sciatic nerve. So, the nerve not derived from the sacral plexus is the femoral nerve, since it originates from the lumbar plexus.

The main idea is recognizing where these nerves originate in the plexus system. The femoral nerve comes from the lumbar plexus (L2–L4) and travels to the anterior thigh, providing motor to the quadriceps and sensory to the anterior thigh and medial leg. In contrast, the tibial nerve and the peroneal nerves (superficial and deep) are branches of the sciatic nerve, which arises from the sacral plexus (via the pudendal and other sacral branches). The superficial and deep peroneal nerves are divisions of the common fibular nerve, itself a branch of the sciatic nerve, while the tibial nerve is the other major branch of the sciatic nerve. So, the nerve not derived from the sacral plexus is the femoral nerve, since it originates from the lumbar plexus.