During a difficult forceps delivery, which nerve is most vulnerable to compression against the lateral wall of the pelvis at the level of the ischial spine?

• A Sciatic nerve
• B Obturator nerve
• C Pudendal nerve ✓
• D Superior gluteal nerve

Explanation

The pudendal nerve exits the greater sciatic foramen, crosses the sacrospinous ligament at the ischial spine, and re-enters the perineum via the lesser sciatic foramen into the pudendal canal. During operative vaginal delivery, compression of the fetal head against the ischial spine directly compresses the pudendal nerve, causing neonatal perineal sensory deficits or maternal pudendal neuropathy. The obturator nerve can be compressed during prolonged labour but at the obturator foramen level, not at the ischial spine.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.