Place the cadaver in the prone position. Identify the nerves and vessels traversing the ischiorectal (ischioanal) fossa.
- Identify the pudendal nerve and internal pudendal artery where these structures pass superficial to the sacrospinous ligament.
- Trace the branches of the pudendal nerve and internal pudendal artery into the ischiorectal fossa. Identify the inferior rectal nerve and artery, and external anal sphinchter and pelvic diaphragm. (G 5.50;N 389;Gl 22.26)
- Trace the pudendal nerve and internal pudendal artery branches as far anterior as possible (where they approach the scrotum).
Important Relationship
The internal pudendal artery and vein, and the pudendal nerve pass posterior-lateral (superficial) to the sacrospinous ligament.
