III.C.3 Abdomen: Bladder: Page 1 of 3

OBJECTIVES:

4.3.1 Identify the innervation of the bladder and its sphincters.

4.3.2 Trace the course of the pudendal nerve and its branches to all structures in the perineum.

READINGS:

Moore's COA: Pages 585-586, 590-593, 596. See the blue boxes on page 601 for clinical correlations. See the yellow box on page 602 for "The Bottom Line."

Because the nerves of the female pelvis are better seen, we will use the female pelvis to continue are discussion of the innervation of the pelvis.

Tap on image to enlarge

	Begin with the female pelvis.
	Add the lumbar and sacral plexes that form the sciatic nerves.
	Discuss the sacral and coccygeal plexus of nerves.
	Add the left and right pudendal nerves.
	Rotate to the supine position.

	Add the urinary bladder and external sphincter.
	Add the vagina.
	Add the rectum.

Note the proximity of the viseral orifices to the pudendal nerve. The pudental nerve contributes to the control of each sphincter.

	What are the three branches of the pudendal nerve?
Inferior rectal nerve, perineal nerve and the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.