title: Surgical anatomy of the retroperitoneal spaces, Part IV: retroperitoneal nerves.
abstract: We present surgicoanatomical topographic relations of nerves and plexuses in the retroperitoneal space: 1) six named parietal nerves, branches of the lumbar plexus: iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, obturator, femoral. 2) The sacral plexus is formed by the lumbosacral trunk, ventral rami of S1-S3, and part of S4; the remainder of S4 joining the coccygeal plexus. From this plexus originate the superior gluteal nerve, which passes backward through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis muscle; the inferior gluteal nerve also courses through the greater sciatic foramen, but below the piriformis; 3) sympathetic trunks: right and left lumbar sympathetic trunks, which comprise four interconnected ganglia, and the pelvic chains; 4) greater, lesser, and least thoracic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), which pass the diaphragm and join celiac ganglia; 5) four lumbar splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), which arise from lumbar sympathetic ganglia; 6) pelvic splanchnic nerves (nervi erigentes), providing parasympathetic innervation to the descending colon and pelvic splanchna; and 7) autonomic (prevertebral) plexuses, formed by the vagus nerves, splanchnic nerves, and ganglia (celiac, superior mesenteric, aorticorenal). They include sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory (mainly pain) fibers. The autonomic plexuses comprise named parts: aortic, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, superior hypogastric, and inferior hypogastric (hypogastric nerves).
authors.affiliation: Centers for Surgical Anatomy and Technique, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road NE, Suite 303, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. pmirilas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirilas
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Skandalakis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009776:Obturator Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000294:innervation*; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology