Anatomy of the Pudendal Nerve
Important Images
Two thirds of PN sufferers are women, according to Dr. Robert's statistics. . This image shows the entire region served by the female pudendal nerve in extreme detail. To study it, find the pudendal nerve and follow it. Note how it is perfectly symmetrical, with left and right sides. Observe the many fine branches, not all of which can be shown on the drawing.
. These are the images to print out and show your doctor, and are sized to print well on a sheet of paper. Use Normal or Best mode (not Draft), and print in color if you can. Mark where your pain is and discuss what could be causing it. With the right doctor and good preparation on your part, you can move swiftly through the diagnosis step.
This compares images prepared by Doctors Robert and Beco. Placing them side by side and identifying the key items allows you to more easily grasp the route of the pudendal nerve, along with the potential entrapment locations on the route. The most common point of entrapment is at the ischial spine, where the pudendal nerve runs under the sacrospinal ligament. The second most common is in the pudendal canal. These are the two principle entrapments that Dr. Robert's surgical protocol resolves.
The Pelvic Region
Body and Pelvic Region, Rear View To the non-medical person (the layman), the pelvic area is hard to understand due to its 3D nature and complexity. This image starts you off on understanding this region by showing the key items: the pelvic bone, the ischial spine, and the ischial tuberosity. Note where the fold of the buttocks is in relation to the ischial tuberosity. When you sit, the two ischial tuberosity bones take about 75% of your body weight. These bones are frequently called the "ischials" or "sitting bones." The coccyx can also be seen.
The above image of the pelvis was just bones and the body was drawn in, so you could see where the pelvis is. This image takes the next step. The body is removed. Ligaments are added. The features of interest are the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. These are the two ligaments that Dr. Robert's surgical procedure modifies to free the pudendal nerve. As his article says on pages 7 and 8:
Next we walk around to the other side for the front view of the pelvis. This is radically different. Since we can no longer see where we sit down, the features of interest are mostly hidden from view. The two ischial tuberosity can still be seen. They make great reference points. The tip of the coccyx can just barely be seen. The important concept in this image is the way the pelvis holds up the internal organs in the abdominal cavity, much like a bowl holds jello. The next image will take a look into that bowl.
Pretend you have poked your head inside your stomach and are looking down. This is what you would see, if everything except pelvic bones and ligaments were removed. Notice the two key ligaments again. Imagine all your organ weight pushing down as you go about your everyday vertical existence. Now, imagine adding to that pressure by sitting long amounts every day. This pushes from the bottom, right on everything that's down there. Pushing forces are magnified wherever there is a bone protruding into the pelvic cavity. Guess which one takes the cake here? Why, it's our old friend, the ischial spine, once again. Prof Robert describes the problem this bony protrusion causes in his article: the pudendal nerve "describes a curve which drags it around the region of the ischial spine, which it straddles like a violin string on its bridge." A similar problem occurs in Alcock's canal. For those who are susceptible, the result of all this pressure and nerve vulnerability is PN or PNE.
This is a little gruesome, but the detail is there. Note the roughness on the ischial tuberosities and the very bowl like shape. When you stop and think about what you're looking it, what it does, and how well it does it, it's really an engineering marvel. You may be wondering, "Why all these views of bones and ligaments? Isn't this a nerve problem?" This is true, it is a nerve problem. But to best self-manage our case, we need to have an accurate, complete model of understanding of why the nerve becomes inflamed or damaged. The nerve doesn't damage itself: something else has to do that. That something else, for PNE, is bones or ligaments pushing for a long time at a pressure level far above what our poor little bodies were designed for. Muscle, fat, and other soft tissue doesn't cause concentrated pressure: only harder things can do that. As you probably know, Homo sapiens was not designed for sitting. Our body evolved to mostly hunt and gather, and to sit only a little. Modern civilization has reversed this: we sit a lot and walk or stand very little. The inevitable result? A design mismatch and PNE. Some doctors have remarked it's a wonder that many more people don't have PNE.
Now we get really bold. Imagine you have just followed Alice in Wonderland into her magical, miniature world and are now two inches tall. You are standing in the bottom of the pelvic cavity. Your view has been improved by splitting the spine temporarily. (After all, we wouldn't want to hurt anyone. :-) You look over towards the right hip. This is what you would see. All our old friends are there: the sacrospinal and sacrotuberous ligaments, the ischial tuberosity, and the by now infamous ischial spine.
You are still two inches high. Now put on your best X-ray glasses. Imagine a patient is lying down, perhaps after a pleasant picnic on the Rhine. You step between their legs and look towards the bottom of the pelvic region. You see a perfect cross section, exposing all those little things running up and down at the point of cross section. Be sure to notice where our best friend, the pudendal nerve, runs. The poor stressed out fellow has not yet reached the ischial spine, which it does only about two inches further down. Note also the nerves running under the ischial tuberosity. These nerves are heavily padded by the gluteus maximus muscle and fatty tissue, but are still highly vulnerable to damage, because they have rock hard bone behind them. (From Clemente) Now, imagine the patient you are viewing gets up and sits
down in a chair. Can you see how the chair pushes on the all
that tissue, which in turn mashes those nerves against the
bones or ligaments they run over? On, I pity the nerve that
lives such a down trodden life! Next, imagine sitting on a
bicycle. The bicycle seat gets right up in there and pushes
ever so hard on the pudendal nerve, who frequently
is totally overwhelmed by the experience and has been known
to go on strike! Or so all these little nerves have been telling
me... Thank you for joining us on our tour of the pelvic region. If you have any further questions, just ask our intrepid guides, who can be found in the group discussion areas. The next tour will start in approximately 30 minutes...
The Pudendal CanalThe pudendal canal, also called Alcock's Canal, is
the second most common location of pudendal nerve entrapment,
after the ischial spine. During Dr. Robert's surgical procedure,
if necessary the pudendal nerve is "freed up" from
the pudendal canal by very carefully cutting the obturantor
fascia (sheathing) that lies over the canal, and gently working
the nerve out. This is a rather delicate surgical technique.
Do not try this at home. This image is taken from the one below and enlarged so you can see enough detail. Note the bundle of pudendal nerves, veins, and arteries running together through the pudendal canal. This image also gives amazing detail on all those tiny yellow nerves in the anal and perineum regions. This is top notch artistry.
This shows different detail from the Male Pudendal Nerve image in Key Images. Superficial dissection allows showing many more nerves, as well as the pudendal canal.
This shows the pudendal canal as it travels along the lower obturator internus muscle and pelvic bone. The canal has been highlighted in yellow. Note the potential for intense compression of the canal by bicycle riding. Many new bicycle seat designs have a depression in the center to reduce perineum pressure. However, this only increases pressure elsewhere, resulting in an even higher chance of injury. Please don't be fooled by such fancy seat designs.
The route of the pudendal canal is so hard to show in illustrations that this image takes an ingenious approach. A thin steel probe has been inserted to show where the canal runs. Note how deep into the patient a doctor would have to go to free up the pudendal nerve in the canal. This, of course, is why this surgery is so demanding.
Schematic anatomy of deep dissection of gluteal region. Most of gluteus maximus and medius muscles have been removed. Segment of sacrotuberous ligament also has been removed, revealing pudendal nerve. Pudendal nerve emerges from pelvis inferior relative to piriformis muscle and enters gluteal region medial relative to sciatic nerve, superficial relative to sacrospinous ligament, and deep relative to sacrotuberous ligament. After coursing around sacrospinous ligament, pudendal nerve reenters the pelvis.
Schematic anatomy of pudendal nerve. Drawing illustrates pudendal nerve arising from sacral nerve roots S2–S4, exiting pelvis to enter gluteal region through lower part of greater sciatic foramen and reentering pelvis through lesser sciatic foramen. Pudendal nerve gives rise to inferior rectal nerve, perineal nerve, and dorsal nerve of penis or clitoris.
Drawing shows pudendal nerve in pudendal (Alcock's) canal. Inferior rectal nerve arises from pudendal nerve before entering canal. Note location of falciform process of sacrotuberous ligament, which is possible site for pudendal nerve entrapment. Interactive Atlas of the Female PelvisThis is an incredibly cool web site, where you can dissect and resect the female pelvis. It gives you a three dimensional look of what the pelvis looks like, the particular muscle groups within the pelvis and where some of the larger nerves are within the pelvis, including the pudendal nerve. This is a great place to start your journey in identifying major structures within the pelvic region. |
Male
Pudendal Nerve
Pudendal
Nerve by Dr. Robert
Pelvis
and Ligaments, Rear View
Pelvis
and Ligaments, Cadaver, Front View
Pelvis
and Ligaments, Vertical Cross Section
Pelvis
Cross Section, Horizontal
Pudendal
Canal Close up
Male Perineum,
Superficial Dissection
Pelvis
and Perineum Frontal Section
Perineum
with Pudendal Canal Probe
Deep Dissection of the Gluteal Region
Schematic Anatomy of the Pudendal Nerve 
Schematic Anatomy of the Pudendal Nerve 