Quick Facts
Origin: The dorsal nerve of clitoris is one of three terminal branches of the pudendal nerve (S2-S4) inside the perineum.
Course: Branches out from the pudendal nerves in the deep perineal pouch of the perineum. The nerve exits the pouch by passing inferiorly through the perineal membrane. It travels posterior to the pubic symphysis and courses distally on the dorsum of the body of the clitoris to reach the glans.
Branches: None.
Supply: Sensory to the clitoris, particularly to the glans.
Origin
The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is one of three terminal branches of the pudendal nerve (S2-S4) that branch inside the perineum.
Course
The pudendal nerve travels along the lateral wall of the ischioanal fossa in the pudendal canal to reach the anal triangular region of the perineum. The pudendal canal is a tubular compartment formed in the fascia that covers the obturator internus muscle.
Inside the perineum (in the anal triangle), the pudendal nerve gives off a branch called the dorsal nerve of clitoris. The branch enters the deep perineal pouch and passes along its lateral margin. The nerve exits the pouch by passing inferiorly through the perineal membrane, just inferior to the pubic symphysis. Here it meets the body of the clitoris and courses along the posterior surface of the body to reach the glans.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The dorsal nerve of clitoris provides sensory innervation to the penis and clitoris, particularly to the glans.
