Which structures pass within the pudendal canal?

Which structures pass within the pudendal canal?

• A. Internal pudendal artery, vein, pudendal nerve
• B. Sciatic nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Superior gluteal artery

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that Alcock’s canal (the pudendal canal) is a fascial tunnel in the obturator internus fascia along the lateral wall of the ischioanal fossa that transmits the primary vessels and nerve to the perineum. The structures that pass within this canal are the internal pudendal artery, the internal pudendal vein, and the pudendal nerve. These vessels and the nerve travel through the canal to reach the perineal region, while giving off smaller branches along the way. The sciatic nerve, the femoral nerve, and the superior gluteal artery do not pass through Alcock’s canal. The sciatic nerve travels through the gluteal region and enters the thigh via the greater sciatic foramen, the femoral nerve runs under the inguinal ligament into the anterior thigh, and the superior gluteal artery exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis.

The main idea is that Alcock’s canal (the pudendal canal) is a fascial tunnel in the obturator internus fascia along the lateral wall of the ischioanal fossa that transmits the primary vessels and nerve to the perineum. The structures that pass within this canal are the internal pudendal artery, the internal pudendal vein, and the pudendal nerve. These vessels and the nerve travel through the canal to reach the perineal region, while giving off smaller branches along the way.

The sciatic nerve, the femoral nerve, and the superior gluteal artery do not pass through Alcock’s canal. The sciatic nerve travels through the gluteal region and enters the thigh via the greater sciatic foramen, the femoral nerve runs under the inguinal ligament into the anterior thigh, and the superior gluteal artery exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis.