Hypogastric nerve
The hypogastric nerve is the nerve that transitions between the superior hypogastric plexus and the inferior hypogastric plexus. The hypogastric nerve enters the sympathetic chain at T10-L2.
Hypogastric nerve | |
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Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses. (Hypogastric nerve visible but not labeled.) | |
Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nervus hypogastricus |
TA | A14.3.03.047 |
FMA | 77596 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
Structure
The hypogastric nerve begins where the superior hypogastric plexus splits into a right and left plexus. Each of these divisions is considered a hypogastric nerve. The hypogastric nerve continues inferiorly on its corresponding side of the body, where it descends into the pelvis to form the inferior hypogastric plexus. Contents of the right and left hypogastric nerves include pre- and post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers from vertebral levels of T10-L2.
Sympathetic innervation[1][2] by the hypogastric nerve is responsible for the emission of semen into the posterior urethra. Emission is the first phase of male ejaculation (followed by the second phase, expulsion).[1] In contrast, erection is mediated primarily by the parasympathetic nervous system via pelvic splanchnic nerves.[2]
References
- Alwaal, Amjad; Breyer, Benjamin N.; Lue, Tom F. (November 2015). "Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation". Fertility and Sterility. 1053 (5): 1053. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033. PMC 4896089. PMID 26385403.
- Le, Bhushhan, Hoffman. First Aid for the USMLE Step1. p.613. 2019.
External links
- Anatomy photo:40:09-0203 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Abdominal Aorta and Paraaortic Nerve Plexus"
- Autonomics of the Pelvis - Page 5 of 12 anatomy module at med.umich.edu
- https://web.archive.org/web/20060709234151/http://www.downstate.edu/ginzler-painmanagement/ginzler-painmanagement.htm