lumbar plexus
- noun
- /ˈlʌm.bɑr ˈplɛk.səs/
- Specialized
:
plexo lumbar
- The lumbar plexus provides important nerve supply to the lower abdomen and legs.
- lumbar plexus block
Examples
-
Two additional electrodes activated the rectus femoris through the femoral nerve, which is supplied by the L1/L2 nerve roots via the lumbar plexus.
Academic text (2001) -
Damage to the lumbar plexus can lead to weakness in the hip flexors and upper leg muscles.
-
Three falls occurred after spinal or epidural block (double dagger). Primarily during lumbar plexus blocks (section).
Academic text (2018) -
Six headaches related to spinal/epidurals (2% PDPH rate). All related to spinal, epidural, or lumbar plexus block.
Academic text (2018) -
Doctors often consider the lumbar plexus when evaluating pain in the lower back.
Synonyms
A network of nerves in the lower back that sends signals to the legs
How Complex
- Specialized
59
3.4
- Specialized
- Specialized
367
3.5
- Specialized
4
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'lumbar' (relating to the lower back) with 'plexus' (an interconnected network of nerves/vessels), so a learner who knows both constituents can directly infer it denotes a network of nerves in the lower back. This adjective+noun composition is compositional and parallels medical terminology across languages, making the meaning predictable to learners who know the parts.
Etymology
The noun lumbar plexus combines lumbar (meaning 'lower back') and plexus (a word for a braided 'network' of nerves). So imagine a small net of nerves in your lower back sending messages to your legs, and that's why lumbar plexus means the nerve network that serves the lower body.