What does the inferior rectal nerve supply?

What does the inferior rectal nerve supply?

• A. Anal canal mucosa
• B. External anal sphincter and perianal skin
• C. Levator ani and coccygeus
• D. Dorsal nerve of penis

Answer: (B)

The inferior rectal nerve is a branch of the pudendal nerve that carries motor fibers to the external anal sphincter and sensory fibers to the perianal skin, with additional sensory fibers from the lower anal canal mucosa. Because its defining role is to innervate the external anal sphincter and the surrounding skin, this captures its main somatic distributions. It does not primarily innervate the pelvic floor muscles like levator ani or coccygeus, and it is distinct from the dorsal nerve of the penis, which supplies the penis itself.

The inferior rectal nerve is a branch of the pudendal nerve that carries motor fibers to the external anal sphincter and sensory fibers to the perianal skin, with additional sensory fibers from the lower anal canal mucosa. Because its defining role is to innervate the external anal sphincter and the surrounding skin, this captures its main somatic distributions. It does not primarily innervate the pelvic floor muscles like levator ani or coccygeus, and it is distinct from the dorsal nerve of the penis, which supplies the penis itself.