Cavernous nerves
| Cavernous nerves of clitoris | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| From | Uterovaginal plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi cavernosi clitoridis |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
| Cavernous nerves of penis | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| From | Prostatic plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi cavernosi penis |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The cavernous nerves are post-ganglionic parasympathetic nerves that facilitate penile erection and clitoral erection. They arise from cell bodies in the inferior hypogastric plexus where they receive the pre-ganglionic pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4).
In the penis, there are both lesser cavernous nerves and a greater cavernous nerve.