| Dorsal nerve of clitoris | |
|---|---|
 1, Suspensory ligaments of clitoris; 2, glans clitoridis; 3, posterior superficial perineal nerve; 4, fascia lata; 5, inferior pudendal nerve; 6, sphincter vaginal muscle; 7, erector clitoridis muscle; 8, superficial perineal artery; 9, transverse perineal artery; 10, obturator fascia; 11, anterior superficial perineal nerve; 12, anal fascia; 13, deep layer of superficial fascia; 14, external sphincter ani muscle;15, dorsal nerve of clitoris; 16, internal pudic artery; 17, perineal | |
| Details | |
| From | Pudendal nerve |
| Innervates | Clitoris |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus dorsalis clitoridis |
| TA98 | A14.2.07.042F |
| TA2 | 6562 |
| FMA | 21870 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Thedorsal nerve of the clitoris is anerve in females that branches off thepudendal nerve[1] to innervate theclitoris. The nerve is important for female sexual pleasure,[2] and it may play a role inclitoral erections.[3]
It travels from below theinferior pubic ramus[4] to thesuspensory 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]
The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is analogous to thedorsal nerve of the penis in males.[6] It is a terminal branch of thepudendal nerve.[1]
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