Innervation of the scrotum by the anterior division of the obturator nerve – a rare variation

Abstract

The scrotum is supplied by ilioinguinal, genital branch of genitofemoral, perineal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh and the posterior scrotal branches of the pudendal nerve. We report an extremely rare innervation of the anterior part of the scrotum by the anterior division of the right obturator nerve. The genital branch of genitofemoral nerve did not reach the scrotum. The ilioinguinal nerve did not supply the scrotum. The anterior division of the obturator nerve gave a branch which ascended superomedially in the thigh, crossed superficial to the spermatic cord and communicated with the right ilioinguinal nerve. As it crossed the spermatic cord, it gave a scrotal branch which descended over the spermatic cord and ramified to supply the anterior part of the scrotum. Knowledge of this variation could be important to anaesthesiologists, urologists and surgeons in general.