Perineal nerve | |
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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.
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]
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]
The latency of the perineal nerve can be measured with electrodes. [5] It is used to test nerve function. [5]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 968 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)