A male patient develops retrograde ejaculation after radical prostatectomy. The anatomical basis is disruption of which structure?

• A Hypogastric nerve (sympathetic L1-L2) ✓
• B Pelvic splanchnic nerves (parasympathetic S2-S4)
• C Pudendal nerve motor fibers
• D Inferior vesical nerve

Explanation

Emission (peristalsis of vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate) is mediated by sympathetic fibers via the hypogastric nerve (from L1-L2, superior hypogastric plexus). These sympathetic fibers also close the bladder neck during ejaculation; if injured, the bladder neck remains open, causing retrograde ejaculation into the bladder. Parasympathetics (pelvic splanchnic nerves) are responsible for erection, not emission.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.