Prostatic plexus
Encyclopedia
The Prostatic Plexus is continued from the lower part of the pelvic plexus. It lies within the fascial shell of the prostate.
The nerves composing it are of large size.
They are distributed to the prostate vesiculæ seminales and the corpora cavernosa of the penis
and urethra
.
The nerves supplying the corpora cavernosa consist of two sets, the lesser and greater cavernous nerves, which arise from the forepart of the prostatic plexus, and, after joining with branches from the pudendal nerve
, pass forward beneath the pubic arch
. Injury to the prostatic plexus (during prostatic resection for example) is highly likely to cause erectile dysfunction. It is because of this relationship that surgeons are careful to maintain the integrity of the prostatic fascial shell so as to not interrupt the subsequent neuropathways to the pudendal nerve.
The nerves composing it are of large size.
They are distributed to the prostate vesiculæ seminales and the corpora cavernosa of the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
and urethra
Urethra
In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids out of the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine...
.
The nerves supplying the corpora cavernosa consist of two sets, the lesser and greater cavernous nerves, which arise from the forepart of the prostatic plexus, and, after joining with branches from the pudendal nerve
Pudendal nerve
The pudendal nerve is a sensory and somatic nerve in the pelvic region which is a large branch of the sacral plexus that innervates the external genitalia of both sexes, as well as sphincters for the bladder and the rectum...
, pass forward beneath the pubic arch
Pubic arch
The eminences of the lower circumference of the true pelvis are separated by three notches: one in front, the pubic arch, formed by the convergence of the inferior rami of the ischium and pubis on either side. The angle at which they converge is known as the subpubic angle.-External links:* *...
. Injury to the prostatic plexus (during prostatic resection for example) is highly likely to cause erectile dysfunction. It is because of this relationship that surgeons are careful to maintain the integrity of the prostatic fascial shell so as to not interrupt the subsequent neuropathways to the pudendal nerve.