Perineal nerve
| Perineal nerve | |
|---|---|
 Pudendal nerve, its course through the lesser sciatic foramen, and branches, including inferior anal at bottom right. | |
 The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery. (Perineal nerve visible but not labeled.) | |
| Details | |
| From | Pudendal nerve |
| Innervates | Perineum, scrotum or labia majora, superficial transverse perineal muscle, bulbospongiosus muscle, ischiocavernosus muscle, bulb of penis, levator ani, external anal sphincter |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi perineales |
| TA98 | A14.2.07.039 |
| TA2 | 6556 |
| FMA | 21866 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The perineal nerve is a nerve of the pelvis. It arises from the pudendal nerve in the pudendal canal. It gives superficial branches to the skin, and a deep branch to muscles. It supplies the skin and muscles of the perineum. Its latency is tested with electrodes.
Structure
[edit]The perineal nerve is a branch of the pudendal nerve.[1][2] It lies below the internal pudendal artery. It accompanies the perineal artery. It passes through the pudendal canal for around 2 or 3 cm.[1][2] Whilst still in the canal, it divides into superficial branches and a deep branch.[1] The superficial branches of the perineal nerve become the posterior scrotal nerves in men,[3] and the posterior labial nerves in women.[1] The deep branch of the perineal nerve (also known as the "muscular" branch) travels to the muscles of the perineum.[1] Both of these are superficial to the dorsal nerve of the penis or the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.[4]
Function
[edit]The perineal nerve supplies the skin and muscles of the perineum.[1] The superficial branches supply sensation to the perineum, and the scrotum in men or the labia majora in women.[1] The deep branch supplies superficial transverse perineal muscle, the bulbospongiosus muscle, the ischiocavernosus muscle, the bulb of penis, levator ani, and the external anal sphincter.[1]
Clinical significance
[edit]The latency of the perineal nerve can be measured with electrodes.[5] It is used to test nerve function.[5]
Additional images
[edit]-
Sacral plexus of the right side. (Perineal nerve visible at center right.)
References
[edit]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 968 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rea, Paul (2015). "3 - Lower Limb Nerve Supply". Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Limbs. Academic Press. pp. 101–177. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803062-2.00003-6. ISBN 978-0-12-803062-2.
- ^ a b Vaida, George T.; Jain, Sudheer K. (2010). "6 - Anesthetic Complications in Urologic Surgery". Complications of Urologic Surgery - Prevention and Management. Saunders. pp. 57–82. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-4572-4.X0001-5. ISBN 978-1-4160-4572-4.
- ^ Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 263
- ^ de Groat, William C.; Yoshimura, Naoki (2015). "5 - Anatomy and physiology of the lower urinary tract". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 130. Elsevier. pp. 61–108. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63247-0.00005-5. ISBN 978-0-444-63247-0. ISSN 0072-9752. PMID 26003239.
- ^ a b Swash, Michael (2008). "33 - Sphincter Disorders and the Nervous System". Neurology and General Medicine (4th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 633–650. doi:10.1016/B978-044306707-5.50036-5. ISBN 978-0-443-06707-5.
External links
[edit]- Anatomy photo:41:10-0100 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Female Perineum: The Perineal Nerve"
- Anatomy image:9174 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- Anatomy image:9187 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- figures/chapter_32/32-3.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
