The sacral parasympathetic outflow (pelvic splanchnic nerves, S2–S4) supplies the hindgut distal to which anatomical landmark?

• A Right colic (hepatic) flexure
• B Ileocecal junction
• C Left colic (splenic) flexure ✓
• D Duodenojejunal flexure

Explanation

The parasympathetic supply of the gut has a dual origin: the vagus nerve supplies the foregut and midgut (up to the left colic flexure, the embryological midgut-hindgut boundary), while the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2–S4) supply the hindgut from the left colic flexure distally — including the descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal above the pectinate line. This boundary corresponds to the transition from midgut to hindgut at the splenic flexure.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.