Inferior hypogastric plexus
Encyclopedia
The inferior hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus in some texts) is a plexus
of nerves that supplies the viscera of the pelvic cavity
.
The inferior hypogastric plexus is a paired structure, with each situated on the side of the rectum
in the male
, and at the sides of the rectum and vagina
in the female
.
At the points of junction of these nerves small ganglia are found.
.
They accompany the branches of the internal iliac artery
.
It is the source for the middle rectal plexus
, vesical plexus, prostatic plexus, and uterovaginal plexus.
Plexus
A plexus is a part of nervous system. Plexus has a slightly different definition in vertebrates and in invertebrates.- In vertebrates :In vertebrates, a plexus is an area where nerves branch and rejoin. The electrical signals do not mix; rather, the fibres travel together with their electrical...
of nerves that supplies the viscera of the pelvic cavity
Pelvic cavity
-External links:* * *...
.
The inferior hypogastric plexus is a paired structure, with each situated on the side of the rectum
Rectum
The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...
in the male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
, and at the sides of the rectum and vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
in the female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
.
Sources
Contributions to the plexus include:- a continuation of the hypogastric plexusHypogastric plexusHypogastric plexus can refer to:* Superior hypogastric plexus* Inferior hypogastric plexus...
on either side, in the form of the hypogastric nerveHypogastric nerveThe hypogastric nerve is a term for the transition between the superior hypogastric plexus and the inferior hypogastric plexus. The hypogastric nerve enters the sympathetic chain at T10-L2.-Structure:...
.
- lumbar splanchnic nervesLumbar splanchnic nervesThe lumbar splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that arise from the lumbar part of the sympathetic trunk and travel to an adjacent plexus near the aorta...
, which emerge from the sympathetic trunkSympathetic trunkThe sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
.
- pelvic splanchnic nervesPelvic splanchnic nervesPelvic splanchnic nerves or nervi erigentes are splanchnic nerves that arise from sacral spinal nerves S2, S3, S4 to provide parasympathetic innervation to the hindgut.-Structure:...
(from the second, third, and fourth sacral nervesSacral nervesThe five sacral nerves emerge from the sacrum. Although the vertebral components of the sacrum are fused into a single bone, the sacral vertebrae are still used to number the sacral nerves....
) also contribute, parasympathetic efferent fibers to the plexus.
At the points of junction of these nerves small ganglia are found.
Course
From these plexuses numerous branches are distributed to the viscera of the pelvisPelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
.
They accompany the branches of the internal iliac artery
Internal iliac artery
The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.-Structure:The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and viscera of the pelvis, the buttock, the reproductive organs, and the medial compartment of the thigh...
.
It is the source for the middle rectal plexus
Middle rectal plexus
The middle rectal plexus is a nerve plexus which supplies the middle part of the rectum.It is a branch of the inferior hypogastric plexus.The middle rectal plexus was previously referred to by anatomists as Copeland's web, due to its identification by biologist Charles Copeland and the design of...
, vesical plexus, prostatic plexus, and uterovaginal plexus.