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01-05-2008 | Original Article

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

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

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 5/2008

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.

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Title: Anatomic variations of the pelvic floor nerves adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: a female cadaver study
Authors: George Lazarou
Bogdan A. Grigorescu
Todd R. Olson
Sherry A. Downie
Kenneth Powers
Magdy S. Mikhail
Publication date: 01-05-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-007-0494-6

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

Abstract

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