Quick Facts
Origin: Second to fourth sacral nerves (S2—S4).
Course: The pelvic splanchnic nerves run from the ventral surface of the sacrum anteriorly into the inferior hypogastric plexus.
Branches: No branches.
Supply: Parasympathetic innervation to the vessels and viscera of the pelvis.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The pelvic splanchnic nerves originate at the second, third, and fourth sacral nerves.
Course
The pelvic splanchnic nerves run anteriorly from the ventral surface of the sacrum. They travel through the sacral foramina associated with the second, third, and fourth sacral nerves to reach the inferior hypogastric plexus.
Branches
There are no branches of the pelvic splanchnic nerves.
Supplied Structures & Function
The pelvic splanchnic nerves are the only splanchnic nerves that carry parasympathetic fibers. Fibers travel from the inferior hypogastric plexus to organs of the hindgut. This includes the distal third of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, anal canal, and bladder. In addition, the nerves innervate the reproductive and genital organs, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, ureters, urethra, bladder, and rectum.
