Onuf's nucleus

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Onuf's nucleus is an area in the sacral spinal cord involved in the maintenance of urinary and defecatory continence, as well as muscular contraction during orgasm. It contains motor neurons, and is the origin of the pudendal nerve.

It receives input from the pontine micturition centre (in the pons), as well as other sources.

The nucleus is of interest because its neurons survive ALS and it is sexually dimorphic.