Anterior Root of Fifth Sacral Nerve (Left)
Radix anterior nervi sacralis quinti
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Surface of the spinal cord ventral to the ventral horn.
Course: Inferiorly towards the apex of the sacrum.
Branches: No branches.
Supply: Potential innervation of coccygeus muscle.
Origin
The anterior root of the fifth sacral nerve originates as a series of rootlets that emerge from the ventrolateral surface of the spinal cord. These quickly merge to form the anterior root.
Course
The anterior root runs inferiorly. At lumbar and sacral levels, the anterior root descends through the vertebral column until it reaches the apex of the sacrum. Just before entering the sacral hiatus the anterior and posterior roots merge to form the spinal nerve.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The anterior root of the fifth sacral nerve has limited function. It may innervate the coccygeus muscle. Otherwise, the fifth sacral nerve is sensory.
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Sacral Nerves
The sacral nerves are a set of five spinal nerves that project to the pelvic floor, carrying afferent and efferent fibers for communication between pelvic organs and the central nervous system (CNS).
