To provide anesthesia to a patient in the third stage of labor, an obstetrician palpates the ischial spine transvaginally, then injects a local anesthetic. Injection of anesthetic at this approximate location will most likely block which of the following nerves?
Correct Answer: Pudendal nerve
Description: The pudendal nerve is often anesthetized to provide obstetric anesthesia (although epidural blocks are now more commonly used in preparation for delivery). The pudendal nerve arises from sacral segments 2, 3, and 4. It exits the pelvis by way of the greater sciatic foramen and then courses around the ischial spine (and sacrospinous ligament) to pass through the lesser sciatic foramen. It then runs through Alcock's canal to supply the muscles and skin of the perineal area. The inferior gluteal nerve leaves the pelvis by passing through the greater sciatic foramen to supply the gluteus maximus muscle. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve courses by the anterior superior iliac spine and supplies the anterolateral skin of the thigh. The obturator nerve passes through the obturator foramen to supply muscles and skin in the medial thigh.
Category:
Anatomy
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now