Medical Gross Anatomy
Anatomy Tables - Nerves
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Medical Gross Anatomy |
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Nerves of the Pelvis and Perineum - Listed Alphabetically |
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| Nerve | Source | Branches | Motor | Sensory | Notes |
| anococcygeal n. | coccygeal plexus (S4-C1) | no named branches | none | skin overlying the coccyx | anococcygeal n. pierces the sacrotuberous ligament |
| anterior labial n. | ilioinguinal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the anterior aspect of the labium majus | communicates with the genital br. of the genitofemoral n. |
| anterior scrotal n. | anterior cutaneous br. of the ilioinguinal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the anterior aspect of the scrotum | anterior scrotal n. is the continuation of the ilioinguinal n. at the superficial inguinal ring; it communicates with the genital br. of the genitofemoral n. |
| coccygeal plexus | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S4, S5, C1 | anococcygeal n. | none | skin of the region overlying the coccyx | only part of the S4 ventral primary ramus is contributed to the coccygeal plexus |
| coccygeus m., n. to | sacral plexus (brs. of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4) | no named branches | coccygeus m., levator ani m. | none | nerve to coccygeus enters the muscle on its pelvic surface |
| dorsal n., of the clitoris | pudendal n. | no named branches | sympathetic motor innervation to skin | skin of the shaft of the clitoris | the terminal branch of the pudendal n. |
| dorsal n., of the penis | pudendal n. | no named branches | sympathetic motor innervation to skin | skin of the shaft of the penis | the terminal branch of the pudendal n. |
| ganglion, inferior mesenteric | preganglionic sympathetic axons from the intermesenteric plexus and the 2nd lumbar splanchnic n. | contributes to the inferior mesenteric plexus; contributes to the superior hypogastric plexus | vascular smooth muscle of brs. of the inferior mesenteric a. | pain from descending colon and sigmoid colon; pain from upper rectum | a sympathetic ganglion; located on the abdominal aorta at the origin of the inferior mesenteric a.; may be a series of small, indistinguishable ganglia rather than a single large one |
| genitofemoral n. | lumbar plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L1-L2) | genital br., femoral br. | cremaster m. | skin of the anterior scrotum/labia majora & upper medial thigh | genitofemoral n. lies on the anterior surface of the psoas major in the abdomen; the genital br. passes through the deep inguinal ring and inguinal canal; brushing the thigh elicits an elevation of the testis via the cremasteric reflex |
| gluteal, inferior | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L5, S1-S2) | no named branches | gluteus maximus m. | none | inferior gluteal n. passes through the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis m. |
| gluteal, superior | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-L5, S1) | superior & inferior brs. | gluteus medius m., gluteus minimus m., tensor fasciae latae m. | none | superior gluteal n. passes through the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis m. |
| hypogastric n. | superior hypogastric plexus | inferior hypogastric plexus | supplies vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera | paired; hypogastric n. lies inferior to the common iliac vessels; it contains postganglionic sympathetic axons |
| hypogastric plexus, inferior | hypogastric nn. and sacral splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons); pelvic splanchnic nn. (preganglionic parasympathetic axons from the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4) | contributes branches to: uterine/vaginal plexus, vesical plexus, prostatic plexus | sympathetic: supplies vascular smooth muscle of vessels supplying the pelvic viscera; parasympathetic: supplies smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | inferior hypogastric plexus lies between the pelvic viscera and the pelvic wall |
| hypogastric plexus, superior | intermesenteric plexus and lumbar splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons) | hypogastric nn. (right and left) | vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera (sympathetic) | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | superior hypogastric plexus is the continuation of the intermesenteric plexus; it crosses the pelvic brim |
| iliohypogastric n. | lumbar plexus (ventral primary ramus of spinal nerve L1) | lateral and anterior cutaneous brs. | muscles of the lower abdominal wall | skin of the lower abdominal wall, upper hip and upper thigh | iliohypogastric n. receives a contribution from T12 in approximately 50% of cases |
| ilioinguinal n. | lumbar plexus (ventral primary ramus of spinal nerve L1) | anterior cutaneous br. (also known as: anterior labial/scrotal n.) | muscles of the lower abdominal wall | skin of the lower abdominal wall and anterior scrotum/labium majus | ilioinguinal n. courses through the inguinal canal and superficial inguinal ring |
| inferior hypogastric plexus | hypogastric nn. and sacral splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons); pelvic splanchnic nn. (preganglionic parasympathetic axons from the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4) | contributes branches to: uterine/vaginal plexus, vesical plexus, prostatic plexus | sympathetic: supplies vascular smooth muscle of vessels supplying the pelvic viscera; parasympathetic: supplies smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | inferior hypogastric plexus lies between the pelvic viscera and the pelvic wall |
| inferior mesenteric ganglion | preganglionic sympathetic axons from the intermesenteric plexus and the 2nd lumbar splanchnic n. | contributes to the inferior mesenteric plexus; contributes to the superior hypogastric plexus | vascular smooth muscle of brs. of the inferior mesenteric a. | pain from descending colon and sigmoid colon; pain from upper rectum | a sympathetic ganglion; located on the abdominal aorta at the origin of the inferior mesenteric a.; may be a series of small, indistinguishable ganglia rather than a single large one |
| inferior mesenteric plexus | intermesenteric plexus | multiple unnamed nn. course along the branches of the inferior mesenteric a. | sympathetic: smooth muscle of the vessels supplying the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | pain from the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | inferior mesenteric plexus contains no vagal parasympathetic fibers; pelvic splanchnic n. axons join the most distal nn. of the plexus near gut wall |
| inferior rectal n. | pudendal n. | no named branches | external anal sphincter | skin of the anus | inferior rectal nerve is one of the first branches of the pudendal n. |
| intermesenteric plexus | lumbar splanchnic nn. 1 and 2 | renal, testicular (or ovarian) and ureteric brs. | sympathetic: smooth muscle of vessels supplying the gut distal to the left colic flexure | pain from the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | intermesenteric plexus is continuous with the superior mesenteric plexus; it continues inferiorly as the inferior mesenteric plexus and superior hypogastric plexus; intermesenteric plexus does not carry vagal parasympathetic fibers; located anterior to the abdominal aorta between the superior and inferior mesenteric aa. |
| labial, anterior | ilioinguinal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the anterior aspect of the labium majus | communicates with the genital br. of the genitofemoral n. |
| labial, posterior | perineal n. (a branch of the pudendal n.) | no named branches | none | skin of the posterior aspect of the labium majus | communicates with the perineal br. of the posterior femoral cutaneous n. |
| lateral femoral cutaneous n. | lumbar plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L2-L3) | anterior & posterior brs. | sympathetic motor innervation to skin | skin of the lateral thigh | cutaneous nn. carry postganglionic sympathetic axons to skin |
| lumbar n. | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L1-L5 | contributes to the formation of the lumbar and sacral plexuses | numerous: see lumbar and sacral plexuses | numerous: see lumbar and sacral plexuses | lumbar nn. enter into the formation of the lumbar and sacral plexuses and do not give branches directly to muscles or skin |
| lumbar plexus | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L1-L4 | branches of the lumbar plexus: iliohypogastric n., ilioinguinal n., genitofemoral n., lateral femoral cutaneous n., femoral n., obturator n., lumbosacral trunk (considered to be part of sacral plexus), brs. to the psoas major and minor mm., branches to the quadratus lumborum m. | muscles of the lower abdominal wall; cremaster m., psoas major and minor mm., quadratus lumborum m., iliacus m.; muscles of the anterior and medial thigh and hip | skin of the lower abdominal wall, skin of the anterior scrotum/labium majus, skin of the anterior and medial thigh and lateral hip | lumbar plexus is noted for its variable branching pattern of nerves that supply the abdominal wall |
| lumbar splanchnic nn. | lumbar sympathetic ganglia L1-L4 | no named branches | smooth muscle of vessels that supply the abdominal and pelvic viscera | pain from abdominal and pelvic viscera | sympathetic nerves; there are four of these on each side; lumbar splanchnic nn. contribute to preaortic abdominal plexuses (celiac, superior mesenteric, intermesenteric, superior hypogastric) |
| lumbosacral plexus | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-S4 | branches of the lumbosacral plexus: iliohypogastric n., ilioinguinal n., genitofemoral n., lateral femoral cutaneous n., femoral n., obturator n., lumbosacral trunk (considered to be part of sacral plexus), brs. to the psoas major and minor mm., branches to the quadratus lumborum m., superior & inferior gluteal nn., n. to the obturator internus m., n. to the quadratus femoris m., sciatic n., n. to the piriformis m., posterior femoral cutaneous n., pudendal n., n. to the pelvic diaphragm, pelvic splanchnic nn. | muscles of the lower abdominal wall; cremaster m., psoas major and minor mm., quadratus lumborum m., iliacus m.; muscles of the anterior and medial thigh and hip, muscles of the pelvic & urogenital diaphragm, posterior hip, posterior thigh, leg and foot | skin of the lower abdominal wall, skin of the anterior scrotum/labium majus, skin of the anterior and medial thigh and lateral hip' skin of the perineum, posterior thigh, leg and foot | also known as: lumbar & sacral plexuses |
| lumbosacral trunk | part of the ventral primary ramus of L4 united with the ventral primary ramus of L5 | no named branches; it contributes to the formation of the sacral plexus | muscles of the hip and posterior thigh | see sacral plexus | the lumbosacral trunk is not considered to be part of the lumbar plexus |
| mesenteric ganglion, inferior | preganglionic sympathetic axons from the intermesenteric plexus and the 2nd lumbar splanchnic n. | contributes to the inferior mesenteric plexus; contributes to the superior hypogastric plexus | vascular smooth muscle of brs. of the inferior mesenteric a. | pain from descending colon and sigmoid colon; pain from upper rectum | a sympathetic ganglion; located on the abdominal aorta at the origin of the inferior mesenteric a.; may be a series of small, indistinguishable ganglia rather than a single large one |
| mesenteric plexus, inferior | intermesenteric plexus | multiple unnamed nn. course along the branches of the inferior mesenteric a. | sympathetic: smooth muscle of the vessels supplying the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | pain from the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | inferior mesenteric plexus contains no vagal parasympathetic fibers; pelvic splanchnic n. axons join the most distal nn. of the plexus near gut wall |
| obturator n. | lumbar plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L2-L4) | anterior and posterior brs. | muscles of the medial thigh: adductor longus m., adductor brevis m. and adductor magnus m., gracilis m., obturator externus m. | skin of the lower medial thigh | obturator n. passes through the obturator canal |
| obturator internus m., n. to | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L5-S2 ) | n. to the superior gemellus m. | obturator internus m., superior gemellus m. | none | nerve to obturator internus m. crosses the ischial spine and enters the ischioanal fossa by passing through the lesser sciatic foramen |
| pelvic splanchnic n. | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4 (cell bodies are located in the lateral horn gray of the sacral spinal cord) | unnamed branches contribute to the pelvic plexus (inferior hypogastric) plexus | smooth muscle and glands of the gut distal to the left colic flexure; smooth muscle and glands of all pelvic viscera | none | parasympathetic nerves; these contain preganglionic parasympathetic axons |
| perforating cutaneous n. | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-3) | no named branches | none | skin of the inferomedial buttock | perforating cutaneous n. pierces the sacrotuberous ligament |
| perineal n. | pudendal | posterior scrotal/labial n., deep (muscular) br. | muscles of the perineum: bulbospongiosus m., ischiocavernosus m., superficial and deep transverse perineus mm., sphincter urethrae m., sphincter urethrovaginalis, compressor urethrae | skin of the posterior surface of the scrotum/labium majus | perineal n.branches from the pudendal n. at the posterior margin of the urogenital diaphragm |
| plexus, coccygeal | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S4, S5, C1 | anococcygeal n. | none | skin of the region overlying the coccyx | only part of the S4 ventral primary ramus is contributed to the coccygeal plexus |
| plexus, inferior hypogastric | hypogastric nn. and sacral splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons); pelvic splanchnic nn. (preganglionic parasympathetic axons from the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4) | contributes branches to: uterine/vaginal plexus, vesical plexus, prostatic plexus | sympathetic: supplies vascular smooth muscle of vessels supplying the pelvic viscera; parasympathetic: supplies smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | inferior hypogastric plexus lies between the pelvic viscera and the pelvic wall |
| plexus, inferior mesenteric | intermesenteric plexus | multiple unnamed nn. course along the branches of the inferior mesenteric a. | sympathetic: smooth muscle of the vessels supplying the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | pain from the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | inferior mesenteric plexus contains no vagal parasympathetic fibers; pelvic splanchnic n. axons join the most distal nn. of the plexus near gut wall |
| plexus, intermesenteric | lumbar splanchnic nn. 1 and 2 | renal, testicular (or ovarian) and ureteric brs. | sympathetic: smooth muscle of vessels supplying the gut distal to the left colic flexure | pain from the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum | intermesenteric plexus is continuous with the superior mesenteric plexus; it continues inferiorly as the inferior mesenteric plexus and superior hypogastric plexus; intermesenteric plexus does not carry vagal parasympathetic fibers; located anterior to the abdominal aorta between the superior and inferior mesenteric aa. |
| plexus, lumbar | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L1-L4 | branches of the lumbar plexus: iliohypogastric n., ilioinguinal n., genitofemoral n., lateral femoral cutaneous n., femoral n., obturator n., lumbosacral trunk (considered to be part of sacral plexus), brs. to the psoas major and minor mm., branches to the quadratus lumborum m. | muscles of the lower abdominal wall; cremaster m., psoas major and minor mm., quadratus lumborum m., iliacus m.; muscles of the anterior and medial thigh and hip | skin of the lower abdominal wall, skin of the anterior scrotum/labium majus, skin of the anterior and medial thigh and lateral hip | lumbar plexus is noted for its variable branching pattern of nerves that supply the abdominal wall |
| plexus, lumbosacral | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-S4 | branches of the lumbosacral plexus: iliohypogastric n., ilioinguinal n., genitofemoral n., lateral femoral cutaneous n., femoral n., obturator n., lumbosacral trunk (considered to be part of sacral plexus), brs. to the psoas major and minor mm., branches to the quadratus lumborum m., superior & inferior gluteal nn., n. to the obturator internus m., n. to the quadratus femoris m., sciatic n., n. to the piriformis m., posterior femoral cutaneous n., pudendal n., n. to the pelvic diaphragm, pelvic splanchnic nn. | muscles of the lower abdominal wall; cremaster m., psoas major and minor mm., quadratus lumborum m., iliacus m.; muscles of the anterior and medial thigh and hip, muscles of the pelvic & urogenital diaphragm, posterior hip, posterior thigh, leg and foot | skin of the lower abdominal wall, skin of the anterior scrotum/labium majus, skin of the anterior and medial thigh and lateral hip' skin of the perineum, posterior thigh, leg and foot | also known as: lumbar & sacral plexuses |
| plexus, prostatic | inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus | is continuous with the rectal and vesical plexuses | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the urethra, prostate gland and ejaculatory ducts; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the urethra, prostate gland, and ejaculatory ducts | pain from the pelvic viscera listed at left | the autonomic nerve plexuses of the pelvis (prostatic, rectal and vesical in the male; rectal and uterovaginal in the female) are in communication with each other |
| plexus, rectal | inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus, posterior part | no named branches | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the rectum; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the rectum | pain and general sensation from the rectum | rectal plexus is continuous with the vesical plexus in the male, uterovaginal plexus in the female |
| plexus, sacral | lumbosacral trunk (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-L5), ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S1-S4 | superior & inferior gluteal nn., n. to obturator internus m., n. to quadratus femoris m., sciatic n., n. to piriformis, posterior femoral cutaneous n., pudendal n., n. to pelvic diaphragm, pelvic splanchnic nn. | muscles of the pelvic diaphragm; muscles of the urogenital diaphragm; muscles of the posterior hip, posterior thigh, leg and foot | skin of the perineum, posterior thigh, leg and foot (excluding the medial side of the leg and foot) | the sacral plexus is often grouped with the lumbar plexus as the "lumbosacral plexus" |
| plexus, superior hypogastric | intermesenteric plexus and lumbar splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons) | hypogastric nn. (right and left) | vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera (sympathetic) | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | superior hypogastric plexus is the continuation of the intermesenteric plexus; it crosses the pelvic brim |
| plexus, uterovaginal | inferior hypogastric plexus | continuous with the rectal plexus | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the uterus, uterine tubes and vagina; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of pelvic viscera, especially uterus, uterine tubes and vagina | pain from the pelvic viscera listed at left | the uterovaginal plexus is a subsidiary plexus of the inferior hypogastric plexus |
| plexus, vesical | inferior hypogastric plexus | continuous with the prostatic plexus | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, ductus deferens and ejaculatory duct; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, ductus deferens and ejaculatory duct | pain and general sensation from the bladder, seminal vesicle and ductus deferens | vesical plexus is continuous with the other autonomic nerve plexuses in the pelvis and cannot be distinguished from them |
| posterior femoral cutaneous n. | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S1-S3) | inferior cluneal nn.; perineal br. | sympathetic motor innervation to skin | skin of the lower buttock & posterior thigh | cutaneous nn. carry postganglionic sympathetic axons to skin |
| posterior labial n. | perineal n. (a branch of the pudendal n.) | no named branches | none | skin of the posterior aspect of the labium majus | communicates with the perineal br. of the posterior femoral cutaneous n. |
| posterior scrotal n. | perineal n., from the pudendal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the posterior aspect of the scrotum | posterior scrotal n. communicates with the perineal br. of the posterior femoral cutaneous n. |
| prostatic plexus | inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus | is continuous with the rectal and vesical plexuses | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the urethra, prostate gland and ejaculatory ducts; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the urethra, prostate gland, and ejaculatory ducts | pain from the pelvic viscera listed at left | the autonomic nerve plexuses of the pelvis (prostatic, rectal and vesical in the male; rectal and uterovaginal in the female) are in communication with each other |
| pudendal n. | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4 (sacral plexus) | inferior rectal n., perineal n., dorsal n. of the clitoris/penis | its branches supply: external anal sphincter, bulbospongiosus m., ischiocavernosus m., superficial & deep transverse perineus mm., sphincter urethrae m., sphincter urethrovaginalis, compressor urethrae | its branches supply: skin of the anus, posterior scrotum/labium majus, clitoris/penis | pudendal n. passes through the pudendal canal formed by fascia on the medial surface of the obturator internus m. |
| quadratus femoris m., n. to | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-L5, S1) | n. to the inferior gemellus m. | quadratus femoris m., inferior gemellus m. | none | nerve to the quadratus femoris m. passes anterior to the obturator internus tendon |
| ramus communicans, gray | cell bodies located in the sympathetic chain ganglia | none | carries postganglionic sympathetic axons to the spinal nerve; spinal nerve will carry those axons peripherally to the skin, blood vessels, etc. | none | gray rami communicantes connect the sympathetic chain to spinal nerves at all vertebral levels |
| ramus communicans, white | cell bodies located in the lateral horn gray matter of spinal cord levels T1-L2; | none | axons contained within white rami communicantes will synapse on postganglionic cell bodies that will ultimately innervate the skin, viscera, glands, blood vessels, etc. | pain from viscera is carried back to the spinal cord through the white ramus communicans | white rami communicantes connect the sympathetic chain to spinal nerves at vertebral levels T1-L2; carries preganglionic sympathetic axons |
| rectal plexus | inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus, posterior part | no named branches | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the rectum; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the rectum | pain and general sensation from the rectum | rectal plexus is continuous with the vesical plexus in the male, uterovaginal plexus in the female |
| rectal, inferior | pudendal n. | no named branches | external anal sphincter | skin of the anus | inferior rectal nerve is one of the first branches of the pudendal n. |
| sacral plexus | lumbosacral trunk (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-L5), ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S1-S4 | superior & inferior gluteal nn., n. to obturator internus m., n. to quadratus femoris m., sciatic n., n. to piriformis, posterior femoral cutaneous n., pudendal n., n. to pelvic diaphragm, pelvic splanchnic nn. | muscles of the pelvic diaphragm; muscles of the urogenital diaphragm; muscles of the posterior hip, posterior thigh, leg and foot | skin of the perineum, posterior thigh, leg and foot (excluding the medial side of the leg and foot) | the sacral plexus is often grouped with the lumbar plexus as the "lumbosacral plexus" |
| sacral splanchnic n. | sacral sympathetic ganglia | unnamed branches contribute to the pelvic plexus (inferior hypogastric) plexus | vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera | sacral splanchnic nn. contain both preganglionic and postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers with postganglionic fibers predominating in number |
| sciatic n. | sacral plexus (ventral primary rami of spinal nerves L4-L5 and S1-S3) | tibial n., common fibular (peroneal) n. | semitendinosus m., semimembranosus m., biceps femoris m., ischioconylar part of the adductor magnus m.; its branches supply all muscles of the leg and foot | its branches supply the skin of the leg and foot (excluding the medial side of leg & foot) | sciatic n. is composed of tibial and common fibular divisions; branches to muscles come from one of the two divisions, so that the sciatic n. is considered to have no direct muscular brs., only 2 terminal brs. |
| scrotal, anterior | anterior cutaneous br. of the ilioinguinal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the anterior aspect of the scrotum | anterior scrotal n. is the continuation of the ilioinguinal n. at the superficial inguinal ring; it communicates with the genital br. of the genitofemoral n. |
| scrotal, posterior | perineal n., from the pudendal n. | no named branches | none | skin of the posterior aspect of the scrotum | posterior scrotal n. communicates with the perineal br. of the posterior femoral cutaneous n. |
| splanchnic, lumbar | lumbar sympathetic ganglia L1-L4 | no named branches | smooth muscle of vessels that supply the abdominal and pelvic viscera | pain from abdominal and pelvic viscera | sympathetic nerves; there are four of these on each side; lumbar splanchnic nn. contribute to preaortic abdominal plexuses (celiac, superior mesenteric, intermesenteric, superior hypogastric) |
| splanchnic, pelvic | ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S2-S4 (cell bodies are located in the lateral horn gray of the sacral spinal cord) | unnamed branches contribute to the pelvic plexus (inferior hypogastric) plexus | smooth muscle and glands of the gut distal to the left colic flexure; smooth muscle and glands of all pelvic viscera | none | parasympathetic nerves; these contain preganglionic parasympathetic axons |
| splanchnic, sacral | sacral sympathetic ganglia | unnamed branches contribute to the pelvic plexus (inferior hypogastric) plexus | vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera | pain from the pelvic viscera | sacral splanchnic nn. contain both preganglionic and postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers with postganglionic fibers predominating in number |
| subcostal n. | ventral primary ramus of T12 | lateral cutaneous br., anterior cutaneous br. | muscles of the abdominal wall | skin of the anterolateral abdominal wall | the subcostal n. is equivalent to a posterior intercostal n. found at higher thoracic levels |
| superior hypogastric plexus | intermesenteric plexus and lumbar splanchnic nn. (postganglionic sympathetic axons) | hypogastric nn. (right and left) | vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera (sympathetic) | pain from the pelvic viscera; general visceral afferent from the pelvic viscera | superior hypogastric plexus is the continuation of the intermesenteric plexus; it crosses the pelvic brim |
| sympathetic chain ganglia | preganglionic sympathetic fibers arrive via white rami communicantes of ventral primary rami of spinal nerves T1-L2 | postganglionic sympathetic fibers depart via gray rami communicantes to all spinal nn.; internal & external carotid nn.; cervical cardiac brs.; thoracic direct visceral brs.; greater, lesser & least thoracic splanchnic nn.; lumbar splanchnic nn.; sacral splanchnic nn. | dilator pupillae, vascular smooth muscle, arrector pili muscles, sweat glands, suprarenal medulla, heart, lungs and gut | pain from viscera | located lateral to the vertebral bodies in the neck, thorax & abdominopelvic cavity; the ganglia plus their interconnecting fibers are also known as the sympathetic trunk; preganglionic cell bodies are located in the intermediolateral gray matter of spinal cord levels T1-L2 |
| to coccygeus m. | sacral plexus (brs. of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4) | no named branches | coccygeus m., levator ani m. | none | nerve to coccygeus enters the muscle on its pelvic surface |
| uterovaginal plexus | inferior hypogastric plexus | continuous with the rectal plexus | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the uterus, uterine tubes and vagina; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of pelvic viscera, especially uterus, uterine tubes and vagina | pain from the pelvic viscera listed at left | the uterovaginal plexus is a subsidiary plexus of the inferior hypogastric plexus |
| vesical plexus | inferior hypogastric plexus | continuous with the prostatic plexus | sympathetic: vascular smooth muscle of the pelvic viscera, especially the urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, ductus deferens and ejaculatory duct; parasympathetic: smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera, especially the urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, ductus deferens and ejaculatory duct | pain and general sensation from the bladder, seminal vesicle and ductus deferens | vesical plexus is continuous with the other autonomic nerve plexuses in the pelvis and cannot be distinguished from them |
| The material presented in these tables is
contained in the book: MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger Published by ILOC, Inc., New York Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited. |
The excellent editorial assistance of Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS is gratefully acknowledged. |
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| Copyright© 2000 The University of Michigan. Unauthorized use prohibited. |
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