[Histologic identification of the afferent fibers of the pelvic plexus].

The inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus conveys two types of fibres: sympathetic fibres originating in the thoracolumbar sympathetic chain and parasympathetic fibers originating in the sacral anterior rami. By using a histofluorescent stain (glyoxalic acid) and a histochemical stain (thiocholine) in 17 fresh cadavres, we have demonstrated that the sympathetic fibres arise from sacral sympathetic ganglia. These fibres participate in the constitution of the pelvic splanchnic nerves. In this study, we confirm that the inferior roots of the pelvic plexus are not only parasympathetic, but also sympathetic.