pudendal nerve (dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris)

Origin

• branch of the sacral plexus, formed by fibers from ventral rami of S2-S4

Course

• it exits the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen, passes posterior to the sacrospinous ligament & accompanies the internal pudendal artery into the perineum via the lesser sciatic foramen
• it gives off the inferior rectal nerve, then courses through the pudendal canal in the lateral wall of the ischiorectal fossa, & terminates as the dorsal nerve of the penis or dorsal nerve of the clitoris.

Branches

• dorsal nerve of the penis or dorsal nerve of the clitoris
• perineal nerves
  • inferior rectal nerve

More general terms

• peripheral nerve

Additional terms

• dorsal nerve of clitoris
• dorsal nerve of penis
• perineal nerve