Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

[Plate 392, Nerves of Pelvic Viscera: Female]

Innervation of the Pelvis

Pelvic innervation is both somatic and autonomic

Many nerves pass through the pelvis without innervating any structures

Sacral plexus (somatic contribution)

Located on posterior wall of true pelvis on anterior surface of piriformis muscle

Formed by ventral rami of S1-S4 spinal nerves and the lumbosacral trunk, formed from fibers from the ventral rami of L4-L5 spinal nerves

Branches supply: lower limb; pelvic floor and wall and perineum; most branches leave the pelvis through greater sciatic foramina

Two major branches are the sciatic nerve and pudendal nerve

Branches of the Sacral Plexus

Nerve Structures Supplied Spinal nerve origin

Major branches

Sciatic Hip joint

Flexor muscles of knee

Muscles of leg and foot

L4-L5, S1-S3

Pudendal Sensory and motor to all structures in the perineum S2-S4

Superior gluteal Gluteus medius and minimus muscles L4-L5, S1

Inferior gluteal Gluteus maximus muscle L5, S1-S2

Posterior femoral cutaneous Sensory to buttock, superior medial, and posterior thighS2-S3

Minor branches

Nerve to piriformis Piriformis muscle S1-S1

Nerve to obturator internus and superior gemellus mmObturator internus and superior gemellus muscles L5, S1-S2

Nerve to quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus mm Quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus muscles L4-L5, S1

Nerve to levator ani and coccygeus Pelvic diaphragm S3-S4

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