Uterovaginal plexus
Encyclopedia
The Uterovaginal plexus is a division of the inferior hypogastric plexus
. In older texts, it is referred to as two structures, the "vaginal plexus" and "uterine 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...
. In older texts, it is referred to as two structures, the "vaginal plexus" and "uterine plexus".
- The Vaginal Plexus arises from the lower part of the pelvic plexus. It is distributed to the walls of the vaginaVaginaThe 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...
, to the erectile tissue of the vestibuleVulval vestibuleThe Vulval vestibule is a part of the vulva between the labia minora into which the urethral opening and the vaginal opening open...
, and to the clitorisClitorisThe clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
. The nerves composing this plexus contain, like the vesical, a large proportion of spinal nerve fibers.
- The Uterine Plexus accompanies the uterine arteryUterine artery-Structure:The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament....
to the side of the uterusUterusThe uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
, between the layers of the broad ligament; it communicates with the ovarian plexusOvarian plexusIn the female, the ovarian plexus arises from the renal plexus, and is distributed to the ovary, and fundus of the uterus.It is carried in the suspensory ligament of the ovary....
.