Anterior scrotal nerves - Male pelvis - Testis and scrotum - e-Anatomy
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Anterior scrotal nerves

Nervi scrotales anteriores

  • Latin synonym: Rami scrotales nervi ilioinguinalis
  • Synonym: Scrotal branches of ilioinguinal nerve
  • Related terms: Anterior scrotal nerves ♂; Anterior scrotal nerves (Ilioinguinal nerve)

Definition

Anterior scrotal nerves usually arise as branches of the ilioinguinal nerve after it has exited the inguinal canal through the superficial inguinal ring. Some variants of the origin of anterior scrotal nerves from the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve have been reported as well.

The anterior scrotal nerves provide sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior part of the scrotum and adjacent proximal part of penis, in males. The equivalent counterpart in case of females are the anterior labial nerves.

Please note that the anterior scrotal nerves are completely distinct from the posterior scrotal nerves, which provide cutaneous innervation to the posterior part of scrotum and arise from the perineal nerve.

References

Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2022 IMAIOS.

  • Mehta K, Iwanaga J, Tubbs RS. Unusual Origin of the Anterior Scrotal Nerve: A Case Report. Cureus. 2019 Apr 27;11(4):e4557. doi: 10.7759/cureus.4557. PMID: 31281741; PMCID: PMC6597137

  • Garcia RA, Sajjad H. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Scrotum. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549893/

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