Neuropelviology in minimally invasive surgery: a surgical anatomy-based demonstration

Abstract

Autonomic nerves regulate the innervation and function of the bladder, uterus, and rectum via their terminal branches. This section emphasizes the superior hypogastric plexus, hypogastric nerve, pelvic splanchnic nerves, inferior hypogastric plexus, and its terminal branches, namely the vesical, rectal, and uterine nerves. Somatic nerves traverse the pelvis, providing motor and/or sensory innervation to the pelvic floor and lower limbs. It is important to recognize the obturator nerve, genitofemoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, lumbosacral trunk, and femoral nerve.

Keywords: Hypogastric nerve; internal iliac artery; nerve-sparing surgery; parametrium; pelvic nerve anatomy.