The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is a
nerve
A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibers (called axons) in the peripheral nervous system.
A nerve transmits electrical impulses. It is the basic unit of the peripheral nervous system. A nerve provides a common pathway for the ...
in females that branches off the
pudendal nerve
The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the perineum. It carries sensation from the external genitalia of both sexes and the skin around the anus and perineum, as well as the motor supply to various pelvic muscles, including the male or ...
to innervate the
clitoris
The clitoris ( or ) is a female sex organ present in mammals, ostriches and a limited number of other animals. In humans, the visible portion – the glans – is at the front junction of the labia minora (inner lips), above the o ...
. The nerve is important for female sexual pleasure,
and it may play a role in
clitoral erection
Clitoral erection is a physiological phenomenon where the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm.
Clitoral erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclu ...
s.
It travels from below the
inferior pubic ramus
In vertebrates, the pubic region ( la, pubis) is the most forward-facing (ventral and anterior) of the three main regions making up the coxal bone. The left and right pubic regions are each made up of three sections, a superior ramus, inferior r ...
to the
suspensory ligament of the clitoris. At its thickest, the DNC is in diameter, visible to the naked eye during dissection.
[ The DNC splits into two nerve branches on either side of the midline, closely following the crura of the clitoris.][
Some surgeries—for example, sling surgeries to treat female urinary incontinence—can damage the DNC, causing a loss of sensation in the clitoris. Understanding the nerve is important for urologists and gynecologists who may operate on organs near the DNC.][
The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is analogous to the dorsal nerve of the penis in males.]pudendal nerve
The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the perineum. It carries sensation from the external genitalia of both sexes and the skin around the anus and perineum, as well as the motor supply to various pelvic muscles, including the male or ...
.[
]
See also
* Posterior labial nerves
The posterior labial nerves are branches of the pudendal nerve
The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the perineum. It carries sensation from the external genitalia of both sexes and the skin around the anus and perineum, as well as the ...
* Perineal nerve
The perineal nerve is a nerve of the pelvis. It arises from the pudendal nerve in the pudendal canal. It gives superficial branches to the skin, and a deep branch to muscles. It supplies the skin and muscles of the perineum. Its latency is tes ...
* Dorsal nerve of penis
* Dorsal artery of clitoris
References
External links
* - "The Female Perineum: The Deep Perineal Pouch"
* http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/figs/l41/410407.htm
*
*
Nerves of the lower limb and lower torso
Clitoris
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