The perineal nerve is a nerve of the pelvis. It arises from the pudendal nerve in the pudendal canal. It gives superficial branches to the Human skin, and a deep branch to Skeletal muscle. It supplies the skin and muscles of the perineum. Its latency is tested with Electrode.
Structure
The perineal nerve is a branch of the
pudendal nerve.
It lies below the internal pudendal artery. It accompanies the
perineal artery. It passes through the pudendal canal for around 2 or 3 cm.
Whilst still in the canal, it divides into superficial branches and a deep branch.
The superficial branches of the perineal nerve become the posterior scrotal nerves in men,
[Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 263] and the posterior labial nerves in women.
The deep branch of the perineal nerve (also known as the "muscular" branch) travels to the muscles of the perineum.
Both of these are superficial to the dorsal nerve of the penis or the dorsal nerve of the scrotum.
Function
The perineal nerve supplies the skin and muscles of the
perineum.
The superficial branches supply sensation to the perineum, and the
scrotum in men or the
labia majora in women.
The deep branch supplies superficial transverse perineal muscle, the bulbospongiosus muscle, the ischiocavernosus muscle, the bulb of penis,
levator ani, and the external anal sphincter.
Clinical significance
The latency of the perineal nerve can be measured with
Electrode.
It is used to test nerve function.
== Additional images ==
External links
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- "The Female Perineum: The Perineal Nerve"
