Innervation
5
Plate393
InnervationofFemaleReproductiveOrgans:Schema
Sympathetic trunk
and ganglion
Gray ramus communicans
White ramus communicans
Greater
splanchnic nerve
Lesser
splanchnic nerve
Least
splanchnic nerve
Sympathetic trunk
Lumbar splanchnic nerves
L3 spinal nerve
(ventral ramus)
Ovarian artery and plexus
Uterine (fallopian) tube
Celiac ganglia and plexus
Aorticorenal ganglia
Superior mesenteric
ganglion
Intermesenteric
(aortic) plexus
Inferior mesenteric
ganglion
Superior hypogastric
plexus
Hypogastric nerves
Uterovaginal and inferior
hypogastric (pelvic) plexuses
Inferior extent
of peritoneum
Pelvic splanchnic nerves
Sacral plexus
Pudendal nerve
Uterus
Ovary
Cervix
T5
T6
T11
T12
L1
L4
T11
L1
L4
S1
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Vagina
S2
S3
S4
S5
Afferent fibers
Parasympathetic
fibers
Preganglionic
Postganglionic
Preganglionic
Postganglionic
Sympathetic
fibers
Note: Pain from
intraperitoneal pelvic
viscera (e.g., uterine
contractions) goes via
uterovaginal and pelvic
plexuses, hypogastric
nerves, superior
hypogastric plexus, lower
aortic plexus, lower
lumbar splanchnic nerves,
sympathetic trunk from
L4 to L5 to spinal nerves
T11, 12. Pain from
subperitoneal pelvic
viscera (e.g., cervical
dilation and upper
vagina) goes via pelvic
splanchnic nerves to S2,
3, 4. Afferent fibers from
lower vagina and perineum
go via pudendal nerves
to S2, 3, 4.
