Tunica albuginea (penis)

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Tunica albuginea (penis)
Penis cross section.svg
The penis in transverse section with tunica albuginea shown
Tunica Albuginea.jpg
Transverse section of the penis with tunica albuginea highlighted
Details
Identifiers
Latin tunica albuginea corporum cavernosorum, tunica albuginea corporis spongiosi
TA98 A09.4.01.017
A09.4.01.018
TA2 3593
FMA 19630
Anatomical terminology

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. [1]

Contents

Structure

Microstructure

The trabeculae of the tunica albuginea are more delicate, nearly uniform in size, and the meshes between them smaller than in the corpora cavernosa penis: their long diameters, for the most part, corresponding with that of the penis.[ citation needed ]

The external envelope or outer coat of the corpus spongiosum is formed partly of unstriped muscular fibers, and a layer of the same tissue immediately surrounds the canal of the urethra.[ citation needed ]

It consists of approximately 5% elastin, with the remainder mostly consisting of collagen. [2]

Function

The tunica albuginea is directly involved in maintaining an erection; that is due to Buck's fascia constricting the erection veins of the penis, preventing blood from leaving and thus sustaining the erect state.[ clarification needed ][ citation needed ]

Additional images

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1250 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ↑ Ellsworth, Pamela (March 18, 2025). "Penis Anatomy". Medscape. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Male Genital Anatomy » Sexual Medicine » BUMC".
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