Anterior labial nerves

Anterior labial nerves are a group of nerves that provide sensory innervation to the skin and mucous membrane of the labia minora in females and the skin of the penis in males. They are branches of the genitofemoral nerve, which is itself a branch of the lumbar plexus.

Etymology

The term "anterior labial nerves" is derived from the Latin words "anterior" meaning "before", "labia" meaning "lips", and "nervus" meaning "nerve". Thus, the term literally means "nerves before the lips".

Anatomy

The anterior labial nerves originate from the genitofemoral nerve, which is a branch of the lumbar plexus. The lumbar plexus is a network of nerves in the lower back, formed by the ventral branches of the first four lumbar nerves and from contributions of the subcostal nerve.

The genitofemoral nerve descends through the psoas major muscle, and then divides into the genital branch and the femoral branch. The genital branch gives rise to the anterior labial nerves in females and the anterior scrotal nerves in males.

In females, the anterior labial nerves provide sensory innervation to the skin and mucous membrane of the labia minora. In males, they provide sensory innervation to the skin of the penis.

Clinical significance

Damage to the anterior labial nerves can result in loss of sensation in the areas they innervate. This can occur due to trauma, surgery, or diseases that affect the nerves, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

Related terms

• Genitofemoral nerve
• Lumbar plexus
• Psoas major muscle
• Labia minora
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis

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