title: Anatomic relationships of the pudendal nerve branches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to characterize the distribution of the pudendal nerve branches and to correlate findings with injury risk related to common midurethral sling procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dissections were performed in 18 female cadavers. Biopsies were obtained to confirm gross findings by histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all dissections, most of the clitoral and perineal nerves coursed caudal to the ventral portion of the perineal membrane. The inferior rectal nerve did not enter the pudendal canal in 44% (n = 8) of specimens. Nerve tissue was confirmed histologically in tissue sampled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clitoral and perineal branches of the pudendal nerve should be at low risk of direct nerve injury during midurethral slings and similar procedures as they course caudal to the ventral portion of the perineal membrane. The inferior rectal nerve might be at risk of injury during procedures that involve passage of needles through the ischioanal fossa.
authors: Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors: T Ignacio
authors: TI
authors: Montoya
authors: Lewis
authors: L
authors: Calver
authors: Kellie S
authors: KS
authors: Carrick
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Prats
authors: Marlene M
authors: MM
authors: Corton
mesh_terms: D002987:Clitoris / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000294:innervation*; D010502:Perineum / Q000294:innervation*; D060525:Pudendal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D053825:Suburethral Slings