Alok Anand MD Ashley Davidoff MD

The Common Vein Copyright 2010

The autonomic nervous system helps to control the function of the prostate gland.  The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system regulates erection, whereas ejaculation is triggered by sympathetic impulses. (Ventura

The hypogastric nerve (sympathetic) join the pelvic splanchnic nerves (parasympathetic S2-S4) to form the pelvic plexus.

The Sympathetic Innervation by the Inferior Hypogastric Plexus with Contribution from L1 and L2

The diagram reveals the sympathetic nervous system of the body and in this instance attention is drawn to the innervation of the prostate by the inferior hypogastric plexus, with contributions of L1 and L2

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Copyright 2010 All rights reserved

The Sympathetic Innervation by the Inferior Hypogastric Plexus with Contribution from L1 and L2

The diagram reveals the sympathetic nervous system of the body and in this instance attention is drawn to the innervation of the prostate by the inferior hypogastric plexus, with contributions of L1 and L2

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Copyright 2010 All rights reserved 14798d03e01d01.8sp1

Applied Biology

During prostatectomy, the portions of the hypogastric plexus that go to erectile tissues of the penis pass through the prostatic plexus.  If these nerves are sacrificed, impotence can develop