Cavernous nerves of penis
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Nerve: Cavernous nerves of penis | |
---|---|
Latin | nervi cavernosi penis |
Gray's | subject #220 989 |
From | prostatic plexus |
Dorlands / Elsevier |
n_05/12565353 |
The cavernous nerves are post-ganglionic parasympathetic nerves that facilitate penile erection. They arise from cell bodies in the inferior hypogastric plexus where they receive the pre-ganglionic pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4).
There are both lesser cavernous nerves and a greater cavernous nerve.
[edit] Clinical considerations
These nerves are susceptible to injury following prostatectomy.
Nerve-sparing prostatectomy was invented for surgeons to avoid injuring the nerves and causing erectile dysfunction complications. During surgery, a doctor may apply a small electrical stimulation to the nerve and measure the erectile function.[1] This test aid the surgeon in identifying the difficult to see nerves.[2]