S5 spinal nerve

At a glance

Level system

S5 nerve (named for its spinal cord segment)

Where it leaves the canal

The S5 nerve leaves through the sacral hiatus.Betts et al. 2022, §13.4

Note

The model draws this nerve leaving through the sacral hiatus; the source sentence below describes the sacral nerves leaving through the sacral foramina.Model choice

Distance down the canal before it exits

257 mmMeasured on one model: the Visible Human male, imaged as a supine cadaver. Not a normal range; drawn root, schematic

ISNCSCI key sensory point

Perianal area, less than 1 cm lateral to the mucocutaneous junctionRupp et al. 2021; Kirshblum et al. 2011

Roots, ganglia and nerves are drawn schematically from each segment to its exit; their paths are not traced from imaging.

What the sources say

“The sacral nerves emerge from the sacral foramina along the length of that unique vertebra.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.4

“All of the spinal nerves are combined sensory and motor axons that separate into two nerve roots.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.4

“The sensory axons enter the spinal cord as the dorsal nerve root.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.4

“The motor fibers, both somatic and autonomic, emerge as the ventral nerve root.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.4