Corpus cavernosum penis

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Corpus cavernosum penis
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Transverse section of the penis.
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The constituent cavernous cylinders of the penis.
Details
Part of Penis
Artery Cavernous artery [1]
Vein Internal pudendal veins [1]
Identifiers
Latin corpus cavernosum penis
TA98 A09.4.01.014
TA2 3678
FMA 19618
Anatomical terminology

A corpus cavernosum penis (singular) (from Latin, characterised by "cavities/ hollows" [2] of the penis, pl.: corpora cavernosa) is one of a pair of sponge-like regions of erectile tissue, which contain most of the blood in the penis of several animals during an erection. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

It is homologous to the corpus cavernosum clitoridis in the female.

Structure

The corpora cavernosa are two expandable erectile tissues along the length of the penis, which fill with blood during penile erection. The two corpora cavernosa lie along the penile shaft, from the pubic bones to the head of the penis, where they join. These formations are made of a sponge-like tissue containing trabeculae, irregular blood-filled spaces lined by endothelium and separated by septum of the penis. [7] [8]

The male anatomy has no vestibular bulbs, but instead a corpus spongiosum, a smaller region of erectile tissue along the bottom of the penis, which contains the urethra and forms the glans penis.

Physiology

In some circumstances, release of nitric oxide precedes relaxation of muscles in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, in a process similar to female arousal. The spongy tissue fills with blood, from arteries down the length of the penis. A little blood enters the corpus spongiosum; the remainder engorges the corpora cavernosa, which expand to hold 90% of the blood involved in an erection, increasing both in length and in diameter. The function of the corpus spongiosum is to prevent compression of the urethra during erection.

Blood can leave the erectile tissue only through a drainage system of veins around the outside wall of the corpus cavernosum. The expanding spongy tissue presses against a surrounding dense tissue (tunica albuginea) constricting these veins, preventing blood from leaving. The penis becomes rigid as a result. The glans penis, the expanded cap of the corpus spongiosum, remains more malleable during erection because its tunica albuginea is much thinner than elsewhere in the penis.

Additional images

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glans penis</span> End of the penis

In male human anatomy, the glans penis or penile glans, commonly referred to as the glans, is the bulbous structure at the distal end of the human penis that is the human male's most sensitive erogenous zone and primary anatomical source of sexual pleasure. The glans penis is present in the male reproductive organs of humans and most other mammals where it may appear smooth, spiny, elongated or divided. It is externally lined with mucosal tissue, which creates a smooth texture and glossy appearance. In humans, the glans is located over the distal ends of the corpora cavernosa and is a continuation of the corpus spongiosum of the penis. At the summit appears the urinary meatus and at the base forms the corona glandis. An elastic band of tissue, known as the frenulum, runs on its ventral surface. In men who are not circumcised, it is completely or partially covered by a fold of skin called the foreskin. In adults, the foreskin can generally be retracted over and past the glans manually or sometimes automatically during an erection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Priapism</span> Medical condition where an erection lasts excessively long

Priapism is a condition in which a penis remains erect for hours in the absence of stimulation or after stimulation has ended. There are three types: ischemic (low-flow), nonischemic (high-flow), and recurrent ischemic (intermittent). Most cases are ischemic. Ischemic priapism is generally painful while nonischemic priapism is not. In ischemic priapism, most of the penis is hard; however, the glans penis is not. In nonischemic priapism, the entire penis is only somewhat hard. Very rarely, clitoral priapism occurs in women.

Erectile tissue is tissue in the body with numerous vascular spaces, or cavernous tissue, that may become engorged with blood. However, tissue that is devoid of or otherwise lacking erectile tissue may also be described as engorging with blood, often with regard to sexual arousal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corpus spongiosum (penis)</span> Spongy tissue within the human penis

The corpus spongiosum is the mass of spongy tissue surrounding the male urethra within the penis. It is also called the corpus cavernosum urethrae in older texts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulb of vestibule</span> One of two elongated masses of erectile tissue in the human clitoris

In female anatomy, the vestibular bulbs, bulbs of the vestibule or clitoral bulbs are two elongated masses of erectile tissue typically described as being situated on either side of the vaginal opening. They are united to each other in front by a narrow median band. Some research indicates that they do not surround the vaginal opening, and are more closely related to the clitoris than to the vestibule. They constitute the root of the clitoris along with the crura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corpus cavernosum of clitoris</span> One of a pair of regions in the clitoris that contain the blood during erection

The corpus cavernosum of the clitoris is one of a pair of sponge-like regions of erectile tissue that engorge with blood during an erection. This is homologous to the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The term corpora cavernosa literally means "cave-like bodies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superficial perineal pouch</span>

The superficial perineal pouch is a compartment of the perineum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorsal veins of the penis</span> Blood vessel

In human male anatomy, the dorsal veins of the penis are blood vessels that drain the shaft, the skin and the glans of the human penis. They are typically located in the midline on the dorsal aspect of the penis and they comprise the superficial dorsal veinof the penis, that lies in the subcutaneous tissue of the shaft, and the deep dorsal veinof the penis, that lies beneath the deep fascia.

Venous leak, also called venogenic erectile dysfunction and penile venous insufficiency, is one category of vasculogenic impotence — a cause of erectile dysfunction in males. It affects all ages, being particularly awkward in young men. Much about venous leaks has not reached a consensus among the medical community, and many aspects of the condition, particularly its treatment strategies, are controversial. The prevalence of the condition is still unknown, although some sources claim it to be a common cause of erectile dysfunction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunica albuginea (penis)</span> Anatomical structure of the penis

The tunica albuginea is the fibrous envelope that extends the length of the corpus cavernosum penis and corpus spongiosum penis. It is a bi-layered structure that includes an outer longitudinal layer and an inner circular layer.

The fibrous envelope of the corpus cavernosum urethrae is thinner, whiter in color, and more elastic than that of the corpora cavernosa penis. It is called the trabeculae of corpus spongiosum of penis.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body of penis</span> Part of the penis located outside of the pelvic cavity

The body or shaft of the penis is the free portion of the human penis that is located outside of the pelvic cavity. It is the continuation of the internal root, which is embedded in the pelvis and extends to the glans. It is made up of the two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum on the underside. The corpora cavernosa are intimately bound to one another with a dorsally fenestrated septum, which becomes a complete one before the penile crura. The body of the penis is homologous to the female clitoral body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Root of penis</span> Internal portion of the human penis

In human male anatomy, the radix or root of the penis is the internal and most proximal portion of the human penis that lies in the perineum. Unlike the pendulous body of the penis, which is suspended from the pubic symphysis, the root is attached to the pubic arch of the pelvis and is not visible externally. It is triradiate in form, consisting of three masses of erectile tissue; the two diverging crura, one on either side, and the median bulb of the penis or urethral bulb. Approximately one third to one half of the penis is embedded in the pelvis and can be felt through the scrotum and in the perineum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Septum of the penis</span>

In human male anatomy, the septum of the penis or penile septum refers to the fibrous junction (septum) between the two corpora cavernosa of the human penis. The tunica albuginea of the penis forms a thick fibrous coat to the spongy tissue of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. The two corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a strong fibrous envelope consisting of superficial and deep fibers. The superficial or outer fibers are longitudinal in direction, and form a single tube which encloses both corpora; the deep or inner fibers are arranged circularly around each corpus and meet in the center. By their junction in the median plane, the inner fibers form the intercavernous septum of the penis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erection</span> Physiological phenomenon involving the hardening and enlargement of the penis

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diphallia</span> Genital medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral erection</span> Physiological phenomenon involving the engorgement of the clitoris

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glans insufficiency syndrome</span> Medical condition

Glans insufficiency syndrome, also known as soft glans, cold glans, or glans insufficiency, is a medical condition that affects male individuals. This condition is characterized by the persistent inability of the glans penis to achieve and maintain an erect or turgid state during sexual arousal, remaining soft and cold. This condition can have an impact on a person's sexual function, including decreased sensitivity, difficulty in maintaining an erection, and overall quality of life.

References

  1. 1 2 Panchatsharam, Pranau K.; Durland, Justin; Zito, Patrick M. (1 May 2023). "Physiology, Erection". StatPearls. Treasure Island, Florida: StatPearls Publishing. PMID   30020650 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  2. Charlton T. Lewis; Charles Short (eds.). "cavernosus". A Latin Dictionary via Logeion.
  3. Hedlund, P.; Matsumoto, K.; Andersson, K. E. (2005). "Animal models of erectile dysfunction". Current Protocols in Pharmacology. Chapter 5: Unit5.41. doi:10.1002/0471141755.ph0541s29. PMID   21953393.
  4. Werner Lierse (6 December 2012). Applied Anatomy of the Pelvis. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN   978-3-642-71368-2.
  5. Heide Schatten; Gheorghe M. Constantinescu (21 March 2008). Comparative Reproductive Biology. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-0-470-39025-2.
  6. Michele Bertolotto (22 December 2007). Color Doppler US of the Penis. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 157–. ISBN   978-3-540-36677-5.
  7. "Embarrassing erections". 2007-01-17. Archived from the original on 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  8. "Understanding a man's erection". whitelotuseast. Archived from the original on 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2011-05-18.[ better source needed ]