The pudendal nerve
Pudendal nerve · nervus pudendus
The main nerve of the pelvic floor, genitals and the area between the legs.
What it does
The pudendal nerve leaves the sacral spinal roots, briefly exits the pelvis and loops back in. It carries feeling from the genitals and the skin between the legs and controls the muscles that keep the bladder and bowel closed.
Surprising fact
Its name comes from the Latin pudendum, meaning "that of which one should be ashamed", an old-fashioned term for the genitals.
Why it matters
During childbirth, a local anaesthetic can be injected around this nerve to numb the area. Long-distance cyclists can compress it on hard saddles, causing numbness.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.