The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is a
nerve in females that branches off the
pudendal nerve[1] to innervate the
clitoris. The nerve is important for female sexual pleasure,[2] and it may play a role in
clitoral erections.[3]
It travels from below the
inferior pubic ramus[4] to the
suspensory ligament of the clitoris. At its thickest, the DNC is 2 mm (0.079 in) in diameter, visible to the naked eye during dissection.[2] The DNC splits into two nerve branches on either side of the midline, closely following the crura of the clitoris.[3]
Some surgeries—for example, sling surgeries to treat female urinary incontinence—can damage the DNC, causing a loss of sensation in the clitoris. Understanding the nerve is important for urologists and gynecologists who may operate on organs near the DNC.[2][4][5]
^
abcGinger, Van Anh T.; Cold, Christopher J.; Yang, Claire C. (2011-02-04). "Surgical anatomy of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris". Neurourology and Urodynamics. 30 (3): 412–416.
doi:
10.1002/nau.20996.
ISSN0733-2467.
PMID21298720.
S2CID22501531.
^
abYucel, S; De Souza A, Jr; Baskin, LS (July 2004). "Neuroanatomy of the human female lower urogenital tract". The Journal of Urology. 172 (1): 191–5.
doi:
10.1097/01.ju.0000128704.51870.87.
PMID15201770.
^van der Walt, Sonè; van Wijk, Frans J; Abdool, Zeelha; Oettlé, Anna C (January 2017). "The dorsal nerve of the clitoris in relation to urinary incontinence sling procedures". International Urogynecological Journal. 28 (1): 119–123.
doi:
10.1007/s00192-016-3086-5.
hdl:2263/57007.
PMID27549222.
S2CID12301185.
^Sedý, Jiri; Nanka, Ondrej; Belisová, Marta; Walro, Jon M; Jarolím, Ladislav (November 2006). "Sulcus nervi dorsalis penis/clitoridis: anatomic structure and clinical significance". European Urology. 50 (5): 1079–1085.
doi:
10.1016/j.eururo.2006.02.024.
PMID16519989.
External links
Anatomy photo:41:13-0202 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Female Perineum: The Deep Perineal Pouch"