Neural Control of Pelvic Function 5

Question 1

Describe the innervation of the male genitalia.

Answer 1

• Penile vasodilation mediated by cavernous nerve, which originates in the pelvic plexus and travels alongside the prostate and urethra
  
  • sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons
• Contraction of the penile muscles is mediated by the pudendal nerve

Question 2

Describe the innervation of the female genitalia.

Answer 2

• Very similar to innervation of male genitalia
• Likely that the neural mechanisms that mediate climax are also identical
• Spine-mediated with descending control