continuation of the prevertebral plexus in the pelvis

Question 1

What is the beginning of the prevertebral plexus continuation of the pelvis?

Answer 1

The superior hypogastric plexus.

Question 2

What is the flow of the prevertebral plexus continuation in the pelvis?

Answer 2

1. Superior hypogastric
2. Hypogastric nerves (as it branches into two)
3. Inferior hypogastric (as it receives branches from S2-S4).

Question 3

What plexus does the inferior hypogastric form?

Answer 3

1. Prostatic plexus
2. Uterovaginal plexus
3. Visceral plexus
4. Rectal plexus

Question 4

Where do the sympathetic fibers of the prevertebral plexus continuation come from?

Answer 4

The anterior roots of T10 – L2

Question 5

What do the sympathetic fibers of the prevertebral plexus continuation do?

Answer 5

1. Controls the blood vessels
2. Essential for movement of sperm from epididymis to the urethra
3. Contracts the smooth muscle of the reproductive tract and the accessory glands
4. Contracts the smooth muscles of the internal ureteral sphincter (males) and the internal anal sphincter (male and female)

Question 6

Where do the parasympathetic fibers of the prevertebral plexus of the pelvis come from?

Answer 6

S2-S4

Question 7

What do the parasympathetic fibers of the prevertebral plexus of the pelvis do?

Answer 7

1. Vasodilate
2. Cause erection
3. Stimulate bladder contraction
4. Modulates the ENS system distal splenic flexure

Question 8

Where do the visceral afferents of the pelvic prevertebral plexus arise from?

Answer 8

It goes with the sympathetic (T10-L2) and the sacral level parasympathetic (especially the cervix, bladder, and ureter)

Question 9

What procedure often comes with loss of sexual satisfaction? Why?

Answer 9

For males, prostatectomy
For females, hysterectomy

It has a chance of damaging the S2-S4 parasympathetic inferior hypogastric nerves, which may cause loss in erection.