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Related Concept Videos

Spinal Nerves: Plexus II01:21

Spinal Nerves: Plexus II

The plexuses of the lower body include the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexuses, which innervate the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and coccygeal region. These plexuses control the transmission of sensory information and coordinate motor functions of the lower body.
The Lumbar Plexus
The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I01:22

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Nerve Supply of the GI Tract01:27

Nerve Supply of the GI Tract

The neuronal supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for regulating various functions, including digestion, absorption, and movement of food. This intricate network of nerves is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain" of the body.
The enteric nervous system consists of two major plexuses: the myenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus) and the submucosal plexus (Meissner's plexus). These plexuses are located within the layers of the GI tract...
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants01:19

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...
Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis01:18

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

The human body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and the circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One key component of this system is the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for returning blood from the abdominopelvic viscera and abdominal walls to the heart.
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
Sympathetic Pathways: Collateral Ganglia and Adrenal Medulla01:27

Sympathetic Pathways: Collateral Ganglia and Adrenal Medulla

The sympathetic pathways of the collateral ganglia and adrenal medulla serve unique but interconnected roles in the sympathetic response.
Collateral Ganglia
Sympathetic preganglionic axons reach the collateral ganglia along the route of splanchnic nerves. These nerves bypass the sympathetic trunk and communicate with sympathetic postganglionic neurons housed in the prevertebral ganglia. These ganglia supply the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity.
The greater splanchnic nerve, formed by the...

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Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy
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The inferior hypogastric plexus: a different view.

R Spackman1, B Wrigley, A Roberts

  • 1University Department of Anatomy, Bristol, UK.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology : the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|April 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Dissections revealed the morphology of the inferior hypogastric plexus in nulliparous cadavers. Understanding this nerve plexus is crucial for gynecological surgery and preventing pelvic organ dysfunction after childbirth or due to constipation.

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Neuroscience
  • Gynecology
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • The inferior hypogastric plexus is a complex network of nerves in the pelvic region.
  • Its detailed morphology is not widely understood, particularly its relevance in clinical practice.
  • Potential injury during gynecological procedures or childbirth can lead to pelvic organ dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the detailed morphology of the inferior hypogastric plexus through cadaveric dissection.
  • To highlight the clinical significance of this nerve plexus in gynecological and obstetric contexts.
  • To raise awareness among clinicians regarding potential iatrogenic injury and its consequences.

Main Methods:

  • Dissection of the pelvic region in nulliparous human cadavers.
  • Cadavers were embalmed using a methanol-based solution to preserve tissue pliability.
  • Detailed morphological analysis of the inferior hypogastric plexus structures.

Main Results:

  • Clear demonstration of the anatomical structures comprising the inferior hypogastric plexus.
  • Identification of key features relevant to surgical and obstetric considerations.
  • The study provides a foundational anatomical description for further clinical correlation.

Conclusions:

  • The inferior hypogastric plexus's morphology is demonstrable through specialized embalming techniques.
  • Clinicians performing gynecological surgery or managing childbirth should be aware of this plexus to prevent injury.
  • Damage to the inferior hypogastric plexus may contribute to various obstetric and gynecological syndromes, potentially reversible through reinnervation.