Description of the perineal pelvic innervation
Perineal pelvic innervation by somatic nerves includes:
- The genitocrural nerve and the iliohypogastric nerve from levels D12-L1-L2,
- The cluneal (or lesser sciatic) nerve coming from L4-L5-S1 and
- The pudendal nerve (pudendal nerve) coming from the sacral roots (S2-S3-S4).
Perineal pelvic innervation by the autonomic nervous system is divided into:
- A mixed system: the lower hypogastric plexus formed by
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- the union hypogastric nerves coming from the superior hypogastric plexus itself formed by sympathetic thoraco-lumbar afferents (D12-L1-L2) and
- the pelvic (parasympathetic) splanchnic nerves from S2-S3-S4.
The pelvic floor muscles are innervated by the somatic roots from L5 to S5.
Superficial perineal pelvic innervation (diagram )
In men and women:
- in yellow: the cluneal or lesser sciatic nerve (lower lumbar roots)
- in red: the pudendal nerve (sacral roots)
- in blue: the ilioinguinal and genitocrural nerves (upper lumbar roots)