cavernous nerves cavernous nerves the cavernous nerves are post-ganglionic parasympathetic nerves that facilitate penile erection and clitoral erection. they arise from cell bodies in the inferior hypogastric plexus where they receive the pre-ganglionic pelvic splanchnic nerves (s2-s4). cavernous nerves of clitorisdetailsfromuterovaginal plexusidentifierslatinnervi cavernosi clitoridisanatomical terms of neuroanatomy cavernous nerves of penisdetailsfromprostatic plexusidentifierslatinnervi cavernosi penisanatomical terms of neuroanatomy in the penis, there are both lesser cavernous nerves and a greater cavernous nerve. clinical considerations these nerves are susceptible to injury following prostatectomy or genital surgery. nerve-sparing prostatectomy was invented for surgeons to avoid injuring the nerves and causing erectile dysfunction complications. during surgery, a doctor may apply a small electrical stimulation to the nerve and measure the erectile function with a penile plethysmograph. this test aids the surgeon in identifying the nerves, which are difficult to see.