Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: A female cadaver study

George Lazarou; Bogdan A. Grigorescu; Todd R. Olson; Sherry A. Downie; Kenneth Powers; Magdy S. Mikhail

doi:10.1007/s00192-007-0494-6

Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: A female cadaver study

George Lazarou, Bogdan A. Grigorescu, Todd R. Olson, Sherry A. Downie, Kenneth Powers, Magdy S. Mikhail

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our objective was to document variations in the topography of pelvic floor nerves (PFN) and describe a nerve-free zone adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament (SSL). Pelvic floor dissections were performed on 15 female cadavers. The course of the PFN was described in relation to the ischial spine (IS) and the SSL. The pudendal nerve (PN) passed medial to the IS and posterior to the SSL at a mean distance of 0.6 cm (SD = ±0.4) in 80% of cadavers. In 40% of cadavers, an inferior rectal nerve (IRN) variant pierced the SSL at a distance of 1.9 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. The levator ani nerve (LAN), coursed over the superior surface of the SSL-coccygeus muscle complex at a mean distance of 2.5 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. Anatomic variations were found which challenge the classic description of PFN. A nerve-free zone is situated in the medial third of the SSL.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	649-654
Number of pages	6
Journal	International Urogynecology Journal
Volume	19
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-007-0494-6
State	Published - May 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cadaver
Inferior rectal nerve variant
Levator ani nerve
Pudendal nerve
Sacrospinous ligament

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Urology

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10.1007/s00192-007-0494-6

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title = "Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: A female cadaver study",

abstract = "Our objective was to document variations in the topography of pelvic floor nerves (PFN) and describe a nerve-free zone adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament (SSL). Pelvic floor dissections were performed on 15 female cadavers. The course of the PFN was described in relation to the ischial spine (IS) and the SSL. The pudendal nerve (PN) passed medial to the IS and posterior to the SSL at a mean distance of 0.6 cm (SD = ±0.4) in 80% of cadavers. In 40% of cadavers, an inferior rectal nerve (IRN) variant pierced the SSL at a distance of 1.9 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. The levator ani nerve (LAN), coursed over the superior surface of the SSL-coccygeus muscle complex at a mean distance of 2.5 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. Anatomic variations were found which challenge the classic description of PFN. A nerve-free zone is situated in the medial third of the SSL.",

keywords = "Cadaver, Inferior rectal nerve variant, Levator ani nerve, Pudendal nerve, Sacrospinous ligament",

author = "George Lazarou and Grigorescu, {Bogdan A.} and Olson, {Todd R.} and Downie, {Sherry A.} and Kenneth Powers and Mikhail, {Magdy S.}",

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AU - Powers, Kenneth

AU - Mikhail, Magdy S.

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N2 - Our objective was to document variations in the topography of pelvic floor nerves (PFN) and describe a nerve-free zone adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament (SSL). Pelvic floor dissections were performed on 15 female cadavers. The course of the PFN was described in relation to the ischial spine (IS) and the SSL. The pudendal nerve (PN) passed medial to the IS and posterior to the SSL at a mean distance of 0.6 cm (SD = ±0.4) in 80% of cadavers. In 40% of cadavers, an inferior rectal nerve (IRN) variant pierced the SSL at a distance of 1.9 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. The levator ani nerve (LAN), coursed over the superior surface of the SSL-coccygeus muscle complex at a mean distance of 2.5 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. Anatomic variations were found which challenge the classic description of PFN. A nerve-free zone is situated in the medial third of the SSL.

AB - Our objective was to document variations in the topography of pelvic floor nerves (PFN) and describe a nerve-free zone adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament (SSL). Pelvic floor dissections were performed on 15 female cadavers. The course of the PFN was described in relation to the ischial spine (IS) and the SSL. The pudendal nerve (PN) passed medial to the IS and posterior to the SSL at a mean distance of 0.6 cm (SD = ±0.4) in 80% of cadavers. In 40% of cadavers, an inferior rectal nerve (IRN) variant pierced the SSL at a distance of 1.9 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. The levator ani nerve (LAN), coursed over the superior surface of the SSL-coccygeus muscle complex at a mean distance of 2.5 cm (SD = ±0.7) medial to the IS. Anatomic variations were found which challenge the classic description of PFN. A nerve-free zone is situated in the medial third of the SSL.

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KW - Inferior rectal nerve variant

KW - Levator ani nerve

KW - Pudendal nerve

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Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: A female cadaver study

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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