Question Details

Nerve supply of ovary is through

Options

A

Sacral fibers

B

Pudendal nerve

C

Branches of renal and aortic plexus

D

None of the above

Correct Answer :

Branches of renal and aortic plexus

Solution :

The correct option is Branches of renal and aortic plexus.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Embryological Origin and Nerve Supply:
The ovaries develop in the posterior abdominal wall near the kidneys (at the level of the L1 vertebra) before descending into the pelvis during fetal development. Because of this embryological origin, the ovaries retain their original blood vessels, lymphatic drainage, and nerve supply from the abdominal region rather than the pelvis.

2. Autonomic Plexuses:
The nerve supply to the ovary is autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and travels along the ovarian artery. These nerves are derived from the renal plexus and the aortic plexus (specifically the intermesenteric plexus and superior hypogastric plexus). These branches form the ovarian plexus, which accompanies the ovarian vessels through the suspensory ligament of the ovary to enter the ovarian hilum.

3. Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Components:
- Sympathetic fibers: Originate mainly from the T10 and T11 spinal cord segments and pass through the renal and aortic plexuses. They are vasomotor, regulating blood flow to the ovaries.
- Parasympathetic fibers: Derive from the vagus nerve (via the celiac and renal plexuses) and are vasodilatory.
- Sensory (afferent) fibers: Carry pain sensations from the ovary back to the spinal cord segments T10 and T11, following the sympathetic pathways.

4. Why other options are incorrect:
- Sacral fibers: Typically refer to the sacral parasympathetic outflow (S2-S4) via pelvic splanchnic nerves, which supply pelvic organs derived from the hindgut and lower urogenital sinus, but not the ovaries.
- Pudendal nerve: Is a somatic nerve arising from the sacral plexus (S2-S4) that innervates the external genitalia and perineum, not the internal pelvic organs like the ovaries.

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