Anatomical studies of the neurovascular bundle and cavernosal nerves

TLDR

The study aims to precisely delineate the anatomy of the neurovascular bundle in men. The authors microdissected the NVB bilaterally in 12 adult male cadavers and mapped its anatomy relative to surrounding pelvic structures. The study found that prior descriptions omitted the levator ani and anterior rectal components, and that the cavernosal nerve anatomy makes accurate graft anastomosis difficult, indicating that existing anatomical descriptions are inaccurate.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To accurately define the anatomy of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS The NVB was microdissected in detail bilaterally in 12 fixed human male adult cadavers. The anatomy of the NVB and its relationship to surrounding pelvic structures was ascertained in each specimen. RESULTS Previous reports of the anatomy of the NVB have not mentioned its levator ani and anterior rectal component. The anatomy of the cavernosal nerves is such that accurate graft anastomosis to proximal and distal cavernosal nerve segments is extremely difficult. CONCLUSION The current anatomical description of the cavernosal nerve and NVB is inaccurate.