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Neurovasculature of the female perineum

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Name the arteries of the female perineum and their supply areas.
  2. List the major veins of this region and their drainage areas.
  3. Describe the motor and sensory nerve supply of this region.

Watch videos

The female perineum is an anatomical diamond-shaped region which is located below the pelvic floor and medial to the thighs. The main neurovascular structures of the female perineum emerge through the pudendal canal, and include the internal pudendal artery and vein, and the pudendal nerve.

  • The internal pudendal artery is the main artery supplying the structures of the female perineum. It gives off four branches: the inferior anorectal and perineal artery, the artery of vestibular bulb and the deep artery of clitoris.
  • The internal pudendal vein is the main vein draining the venous blood from the female perineum. The venous return is similar to the arterial homolog, as the internal pudendal vein receives the blood of all four sets of veins of the female perineum: the deep veins of clitoris, veins of vestibular bulb, perineal veins and the inferior anorectal veins.
  • The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the female perineum, providing sensory as well as motor innervation. It gives off the inferior anal nerve, dorsal nerve of clitoris and the perineal nerve.

Watch our video tutorial to learn more about these neurovascular structures and their branches, as well as supply and drainage area.

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After watching the video, take that newly found knowledge and test yourself on the neurovasculature of the female perineum.

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Browse atlas

Browse our atlas gallery to further analyze the course and relations of the neurovasculature of the female perineum:

Summary

Key points about the arteries of the female perineum
Main artery Internal pudendal artery
Branches Inferior anorectal artery, perineal artery, artery of vestibular bulb,
deep artery of clitoris
Supply area Inferior [ano]rectal artery: Anal canal, internal and external anal sphincter, perianal skin
Perineal artery:
Transverse perineal muscles, perineal body and posterior part of the labia
Artery of vestibular bulb:
Vestibular bulb, erectile tissue of the vagina
Deep artery of clitoris:
Corpus cavernosum of the clitoris
Key points about the veins of the female perineum
Main vein Internal pudendal vein
Branches Deep veins of clitoris, veins of vestibular bulb, perineal veins, inferior [ano]rectal veins
Drainage area Deep veins of clitoris: Corpora cavernosa of the clitoris
Veins of vestibular bulb:
Vestibular bulb, erectile tissue of vagina
Perineal veins:
Transverse perineal muscles, perineal body, posterior part of the labia
Inferior anorectal veins:
Inferior part of the rectum
Key points about the nerves of the female perineum
Main nerve Pudendal nerve
Branches Inferior anal nerve, dorsal nerve of clitoris, perineal nerve (giving off posterior labial nerves)
Supply area Inferior anal nerve: Motor innervation to the external anal sphincter, sensory innervation to the skin of the anal canal inferior to the pectinate line
Dorsal nerve of clitoris:
Sensory innervation to the corpus cavernosum of clitoris
Perineal nerve:
Motor innervation to the superficial and deep perineal muscles (muscular branches), sensory innervation to the skin of the labia majora (posterior labial nerves)

Well done!

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