Sacral splanchnic nerves
Encyclopedia
Sacral splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves
that connect the inferior hypogastric plexus
to the sympathetic trunk
in the pelvis.
, emerging anteriorly from the ganglia. They travel to their corresponding side's inferior hypogastric plexus
. From this plexus, they help innervate pelvic organs and vessels.
The sacral sympathetic nerves contain a mix of preganglionic and postganglionic sympathetic fibers, but mostly postganglionic. They also contain visceral afferent fibers. They are found in the same region as the pelvic splanchnic nerves
, which arise from the sacral spinal nerve
s to provide parasympathetic fibers to the inferior hypogastric plexus
.
Splanchnic nerves
The splanchnic nerves are paired nerves that contribute to the innervation of the viscera, carrying fibers of the autonomic nervous system as well as sensory fibers from the organs...
that connect the inferior hypogastric plexus
Inferior hypogastric plexus
The inferior hypogastric plexus 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.-Sources:Contributions to...
to the sympathetic trunk
Sympathetic trunk
The sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
in the pelvis.
Structure
The sacral sympathetic nerves arise from the sacral part of the sympathetic trunkSympathetic trunk
The sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
, emerging anteriorly from the ganglia. They travel to their corresponding side's inferior hypogastric plexus
Inferior hypogastric plexus
The inferior hypogastric plexus 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.-Sources:Contributions to...
. From this plexus, they help innervate pelvic organs and vessels.
The sacral sympathetic nerves contain a mix of preganglionic and postganglionic sympathetic fibers, but mostly postganglionic. They also contain visceral afferent fibers. They are found in the same region as the pelvic splanchnic nerves
Pelvic splanchnic nerves
Pelvic 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:...
, which arise from the sacral spinal nerve
Spinal nerve
The term spinal nerve generally refers to a mixed spinal nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body...
s to provide parasympathetic fibers to the inferior hypogastric plexus
Inferior hypogastric plexus
The inferior hypogastric plexus 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.-Sources:Contributions to...
.