Quiz 5: Sacral Plexus Flashcards
The sacral plexus is formed by what levels?
Anterior Primary Rami L4, L5, S1-S3 and part of S4.
The contributions from L4 and L5 are by way of what?
Lumbosacral Trunk
The sacral plexus forms on the anterior surface of what muscle?
Piriformis
The nerve roots that contribute to the sacral plexus divide into what divisions shortly after exiting their IVF/sacral foramen?
Anterior and Posterior divisions
What are the main nerves that branch off the anterior division of the sacral plexus?
- Nerve to the quadratus femoris and gemellus inferior
- Nerve to the obturator internus and gemellus superior
- Pudendal Nerve
- Muscular Branches
- Pelvic Splanchnic Nerves
The Nerve to the Quadratus femoris and gemellus inferior contains fibers from what levels?
L4, L5 and S1
Where does the Nerve to the Quadratus femoris and gemellus inferior leave the pelvis?
Through the greater sciatic foramen
What is the function of the Quadratus femoris and Gemellus inferior muscles?
Contribute to lateral rotation and adduction of the thigh
The Nerve to the Obturator Internus and gemellus Superior contains fibers from what levels?
L5, S1 and S2
Where does the Nerve to the Obturator Internus and Gemellus Superior leave the pelvis?
Through the greater sciatic foramen
What does the Nerve to the Obturator Internus and Gemellus Superior give off branches to after leaving the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen?
Branches to the Gemellus Superior
Where does the Nerve to the Obturator Internus and Gemellus Superior travel to after giving off branches to Gemellus Superior?
It re-enters the pelvis via the lesser sciatic foramen to supply the obturator internus.
What is the function of the Obturator Internus and Gemellus Superior muscles?
Contribute to lateral rotation and abduction of the thigh
The Pudendal Nerve contains fibers from what levels?
S2, S3, and S4
Where does the Pudendal Nerve leave the pelvic cavity?
Through the greater sciatic foramen
Where does the Pudendal Nerve travel after exiting the pelvis?
It arches around the ischial spine and into the perineum via the lesser sciatic foramen
After travelling through the lesser sciatic foramen where does the pudendal nerve travel?
It travels in the Pudendal Canal, inferior to the pubic symphysis to reach the dorsal side of the penis or clitoris.
What are the branches of the Pudendal Nerve that exit within the Pudendal Canal?
- Inferior Rectal Nerves
- Perineal Nerve
- Dorsal Nerve of the Penis/Clitoris
Where do the inferior rectal nerves carry sensory information from?
Skin around the anus and the inferior 2/3 of the anal canal
Where do the inferior rectal nerves carry motor info?
External Anal Sphincter
What branches does the Perineal Nerve divide into?
Deep and Superficial Branches
Where do the deep branches of the Perineal Nerve carry motor info?
The following four muscles:
- External Anal Sphincter
- Bulbosponsiosus
- Ischiocavernosus
- Superficial Transverse Perineus
Where do the superficial branches of the Perineal Nerve carry sensory info from in males?
- Posterior scrotum
- Urethral mucosa
- Bulb of the Penis
Where do the superficial branches of the Perineal Nerve carry sensory info from in females?
- Labium majus
- External Urethral Oriface
- Vestibule
What is the terminal branch of the pudendal nerve?
Dorsal Nerve of the Penis/Clitoris
What muscles are supplied by the Dorsal Nerve of the Penis/Clitoris?
- Deep Transverse Perineus
2. Urethral Sphincter Muscles
Where does the Dorsal Nerve of the Penis/Clitoris carry sensory info from in males?
- Corpus Cavernosum
- Glans Penis
- Skin covering the penis
Where does the Dorsal Nerve of the Penis/Clitoris carry sensory info from in females?
- Corpus Cavernosum
- Clitoris
Individual Muscular Branches off the sacral plexus contains fibers from what levels?
S4 only
What muscles do the Muscular Branches supply?
Levator Ani & Coccygeus Muscles
The Pelvic Splanchnic Nerves contain fibers from what levels?
S2, S3 and S4
What are the main nerves that branch off the posterior division of the sacral plexus?
- Nerve to the Piriformis
- Superior Gluteal Nerve
- Inferior Gluteal Nerve
- Perforating Cutaneous Nerve
The nerve to the piriformis carries fibers from what levels?
S1 and S2
What muscle does the nerve to the piriformis supply?
Piriformis
The Superior Gluteal Nerve is made up of fibers from what levels?
L4, L5 and S1
Where does the Superior Gluteal Nerve leave the pelvis?
Greater Sciatic foramen, superior to the piriformis
What does the Superior Gluteal Nerve split into?
Superior and Inferior Branches
What muscles do the superior branches of the Superior Gluteal Nerve supply?
- Gluteus medius
2. Gluteus minimus
What muscles do the inferior branches of the Superior Gluteal Nerve supply?
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
- Tensor Fascia Lata
The inferior gluteal nerve carries fibers from what levels?
L5, S1 and S2
Where does the Inferior Gluteal Nerve leave the pelvis?
Through the greater sciatic foramen, inferior to the piriformis