Note: there is variation with the anatomical course between individuals, however, its close association to the ischial spine is generally consistent. Inside the pudendal canal, the nerve divides into branches, first giving off the inferior rectal nerve, then the perineal nerve, before continuing as the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris. It then crosses the sacrospinous ligament (close to its insertion to the ischial spine) , and then re-enters the pelvis through the lesser sciatic foramen.Īfter re-entering the pelvis, it accompanies the internal pudendal artery and vein, coursing anterosuperiorly through the pudendal canal (also known as Alcock’s canal – a structure formed by the fascia of the obturator internus muscle). It leaves the pelvis through the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen. It arises from the ventral rami (anterior divisions) of the spinal nerves S2, S3 and S4.Īfter its formation, the pudendal nerve descends and passes between the piriformis and ischiococcygeus muscles. The pudendal nerve is formed from the sacral plexus – a network of nerve fibres located on the posterior pelvic wall.
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