Cavernous nerves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The cavernous nerves are post-ganglionic parasympathetic nerves that facilitate penile erection and clitoral erection.[1] They arise from cell bodies in the inferior hypogastric plexus where they receive the pre-ganglionic pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4).
| Cavernous nerves of clitoris | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| From | Uterovaginal plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi cavernosi clitoridis |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
| Cavernous nerves of penis | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| From | Prostatic plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi cavernosi penis |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
In the penis, there are both lesser cavernous nerves and a greater cavernous nerve.
Clinical considerations
These nerves are susceptible to injury following prostatectomy or genital surgery.
Nerve-sparing prostatectomy was invented for surgeons to avoid injuring the nerves and causing erectile dysfunction complications. During surgery, a doctor may apply a small electrical stimulation to the nerve and measure the erectile function with a penile plethysmograph.[2] This test aids the surgeon in identifying the nerves, which are difficult to see.[3]