Pelvic splanchnic nerves

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Pelvic splanchnic nerves
Details
FromS2-S4
Identifiers
Latin nervi splanchnici pelvici
nervi erigentes
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Pelvic splanchnic nerves or nervi erigentes are splanchnic nerves that arise from sacral spinal nerves S2, S3, S4 to provide parasympathetic innervation to the organs of the pelvic cavity.

Contents

Structure

The pelvic splanchnic nerves arise from the anterior rami of the sacral spinal nerves S2, S3, and S4, and enter the sacral plexus. [1] [2] [3] They travel to their side's corresponding inferior hypogastric plexus, located bilaterally on the walls of the rectum. [2] [3] They contain both preganglionic parasympathetic fibers as well as visceral afferent fibers. [3] Visceral afferent fibers go to spinal cord following pathway of pelvic splanchnic nerve fibers.

The parasympathetic nervous system is referred to as the craniosacral outflow; the pelvic splanchnic nerves are the sacral component. They are in the same region as the sacral splanchnic nerves, which arise from the sympathetic trunk and provide sympathetic efferent fibers.

Function

The pelvic splanchnic nerves contribute to the innervation of the pelvic and genital organs. [2] The nerves regulate the emptying of the urinary bladder, control opening and closing of the internal urethral sphincter, influence motility in the rectum as well as sexual functions like erection. [1] [2]

In the distal 1/3 of the transverse colon, and through the sigmoid and rectum, and the cervix in females, the pelvic splanchnic nerves supply parasympathetic function, including transmitting the sensation of pain. [1] The proximal 2/3 of the transverse colon, and the rest of the proximal gastrointestinal tract is supplied its parasympathetic fibers by the vagus nerve.

Clinical significance

Damage to the sacral spinal nerve roots can cause neurogenic bladder dysfunction [2] and fecal incontinence. [3]

Society and culture

The pelvic splanchnic nerves are featured as a key plot point in "Parasites Lost", a 2001 episode of the American animated TV comedy Futurama ; when protagonist Philip J. Fry is infected with parasitic worms, the rest of the crew use micro-droids to enter his body with the intention of tickling the pelvic splanchnic ganglion to trigger a convulsive bowel movement that they believe will expel the worms.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagus nerve</span> Main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system

The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that carries sensory fibers that create a pathway that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right vagus nerves—but they are typically referred to collectively as a single subsystem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autonomic nervous system</span> Division of the nervous system supplying internal organs, smooth muscle and glands

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), formerly referred to as the vegetative nervous system, is a division of the nervous system that operates internal organs, smooth muscle and glands. The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, its force of contraction, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. This system is the primary mechanism in control of the fight-or-flight response.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Splanchnic nerves</span> Type of nerve in the human body

The splanchnic nerves are paired visceral nerves, carrying fibers of the autonomic nervous system as well as sensory fibers from the organs. All carry sympathetic fibers except for the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which carry parasympathetic fibers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levator ani</span> Broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis

The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parasympathetic nervous system</span> Division of the autonomic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system, and sometimes considered an independent system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinal nerve</span> Nerve that carries signals between the spinal cord and the body

A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. In the human body there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, one on each side of the vertebral column. These are grouped into the corresponding cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions of the spine. There are eight pairs of cervical nerves, twelve pairs of thoracic nerves, five pairs of lumbar nerves, five pairs of sacral nerves, and one pair of coccygeal nerves. The spinal nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigmoid colon</span> Section of the large intestine closest to the rectum and anus

The sigmoid colon is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about 35–40 centimetres (14–16 in) in length. The loop is typically shaped like a Greek letter sigma (ς) or Latin letter S. This part of the colon normally lies within the pelvis, but due to its freedom of movement it is liable to be displaced into the abdominal cavity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermatome (anatomy)</span> Type of area of skin

A dermatome is an area of skin that is mainly supplied by afferent nerve fibres from the dorsal root of any given spinal nerve. There are 8 cervical nerves , 12 thoracic nerves, 5 lumbar nerves and 5 sacral nerves. Each of these nerves relays sensation from a particular region of skin to the brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nerve plexus</span> Network of nerve fibres

A nerve plexus is a plexus of intersecting nerves. A nerve plexus is composed of afferent and efferent fibers that arise from the merging of the anterior rami of spinal nerves and blood vessels. There are five spinal nerve plexuses, except in the thoracic region, as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system. The nerves that arise from the plexuses have both sensory and motor functions. These functions include muscle contraction, the maintenance of body coordination and control, and the reaction to sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and pressure. There are several plexuses in the body, including:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perforating cutaneous nerve</span>

The perforating cutaneous nerve is a cutaneous nerve of the sacral plexus that provides sensory innervation to the skin of the buttocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior hypogastric plexus</span>

The superior hypogastric plexus is a plexus of nerves situated on the vertebral bodies anterior to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. It bifurcates to form the left and the right hypogastric nerve. The SHP is the continuation of the abdominal aortic plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sympathetic ganglia</span> Ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic ganglia, or paravertebral ganglia, are autonomic ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. Ganglia are 20,000 to 30,000 afferent and efferent nerve cell bodies that run along on either side of the spinal cord. Afferent nerve cell bodies bring information from the body to the brain and spinal cord, while efferent nerve cell bodies bring information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The cell bodies create long sympathetic chains that are on either side of the spinal cord. They also form para- or pre-vertebral ganglia of gross anatomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelvic cavity</span> Body cavity bounded by the pelvic bones

The pelvic cavity is a body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis. Its oblique roof is the pelvic inlet. Its lower boundary is the pelvic floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral grey column</span>

The lateral grey column is one of the three grey columns of the spinal cord ; the others being the anterior and posterior grey columns. The lateral grey column is primarily involved with activity in the sympathetic division of the autonomic motor system. It projects to the side as a triangular field in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the postero-lateral part of the anterior grey column.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior mesenteric ganglion</span>

The superior mesenteric ganglion is a ganglion in the upper part of the superior mesenteric plexus. It lies close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior hypogastric plexus</span>

The inferior hypogastric plexus is a network of nerves that supplies the organs of the pelvic cavity. The inferior hypogastric plexus gives rise to the prostatic plexus in males and the uterovaginal plexus in females.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacral splanchnic nerves</span>

Sacral splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that connect the inferior hypogastric plexus to the sympathetic trunk in the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypogastric nerve</span> Human nerves

The hypogastric nerves are the continuation of the superior hypogastric plexus that descend into the pelvis anterior the sacrum and become the inferior hypogastric plexuses on either side of pelvic organs. The hypogastric nerves serve as a pathway for autonomic fibers to communicate between the lower abdomen and pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General visceral afferent fiber</span> Part of the visceral nervous system

The general visceral afferent (GVA) fibers conduct sensory impulses from the internal organs, glands, and blood vessels to the central nervous system. They are considered to be part of the visceral nervous system, which is closely related to the autonomic nervous system, but 'visceral nervous system' and 'autonomic nervous system' are not direct synonyms and care should be taken when using these terms. Unlike the efferent fibers of the autonomic nervous system, the afferent fibers are not classified as either sympathetic or parasympathetic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar ganglia</span>

The lumbar ganglia are paravertebral ganglia located in the inferior portion of the sympathetic trunk. The lumbar portion of the sympathetic trunk typically has 4 lumbar ganglia. The lumbar splanchnic nerves arise from the ganglia here, and contribute sympathetic efferent fibers to the nearby plexuses. The first two lumbar ganglia have both white and gray rami communicates.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell; illustrations by Richard; Richardson, Paul (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. p. 423. ISBN   978-0-8089-2306-0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Oakes, W. Jerry; Rocque, Brandon G. (2015-01-01), Tubbs, R. Shane; Rizk, Elias; Shoja, Mohammadali M.; Loukas, Marios (eds.), "Chapter 25 - Dorsal Rhizotomy for Spasticity", Nerves and Nerve Injuries, San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 383–391, ISBN   978-0-12-802653-3 , retrieved 2021-01-06
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bharucha, ADIL E.; Klingele, CHRISTOPHER J. (2005-01-01), Dyck, Peter J.; Thomas, P. K. (eds.), "Chapter 13 - Autonomic and Somatic Systems to the Anorectum and Pelvic Floor", Peripheral Neuropathy (Fourth Edition), Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 279–298, ISBN   978-0-7216-9491-7 , retrieved 2021-01-06