Cutaneous nerve

A cutaneous nerve is a nerve that innervates the skin.

They are responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin. They are generally thought of as sensory-only nerves, but they may provide motor innervation to structures in the skin, e.g. sweat glands.

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

Main article: Cutaneous innervation of the upper limbs

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 (LCNOT)

Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh (PCNOT)

Other

In the torso

Ventral cutaneous branches

Lateral cutaneous branches

Dorsal cutaneous branches

In the neck & head:

Supraorbital nerve

Infraorbital nerve

Mental nerve

Buccal nerve

Auriculotemporal nerve

Supraclavicular nerves (C3, C4)

Great auricular nerve (C2, C3)

Greater occipital nerve (C2)