The bulbospongiosus muscle envelops the posterior part (bulb) of the corpus spongiosum, and its anterior fibers encircle both the corpus spongiosum and the paired corpora cavernosa (see Plate 2-3 ). Note that the intramembranous Cowper (bulbourethral) glands and the deep transverse perineal muscle are now exposed. The urethra, after passing through the urogenital diaphragm, pierces the dorsal surface of the corpus spongiosum and is contained within it. Nerves, arteries, and veins that supply both the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa also penetrate the inferior fascial layer of the urogenital diaphragm. BLOOD SUPPLY OF PERINEUM It is a resistant membrane that gives rigidity and firmness to the penis and can be affected by penile fibroses. The urethra is surrounded by corpora cavernosa, which ensure its protection. In erect state, the body of the penis becomes rigid, allowing penetration at the crucial moment. The procedure is indicated for those who have difficulty retracting the foreskin to expose and properly clean the glans, as this increases the accumulation of bacteria. The parasympathetic (pro-erectile) pathway from S2-S4 travels via the cavernous nerves to release NO.Consequently, the testes are located outside the body in a sack of skin called the scrotum.The nerve supply of the penis is derived from the somatic pudendal nerve (S2-S4) and from the pelvic autonomic plexus.It is a long cylindrical body of tissue that runs through the body of the penis right to its tip.It is a resistant membrane that gives rigidity and firmness to the penis and can be affected by penile fibroses.The superficial fascia, dartos, is made up from a more areolar tissue and is in relation to skin and vessels. This guide provides a straightforward, labeled guide to the external penis anatomy. While the penis is a familiar part of the body, understanding the correct names and functions of its visible parts is essential for health literacy and confident communication. Suffice it to say, all of that discovery should be the fun part and the deepest part (play and depth aren’t oxymorons, I swear), whether it’s discovery about yourself, by yourself, about yourself with a partner, or about a partner. As the major leaf of Colles fascia nears the upper scrotal cavity, it divides near the anterior margin of the scrotum, with a portion extending inward (see Plate 2-3 ). However, this fascia may contain rows of transverse slitlike openings in some individuals, which would allow urine access to the scrotal cavity. Anatomists differ as to whether a further inward extension of Colles fascia, termed the major leaf of Colles fascia, exists. In the scrotal midline, an inversion of the dartos fascia forms the scrotal septum , dividing the scrotal cavity into two halves. Although they can freely extend up the anterior abdominal wall to the clavicles, such processes do not normally extend beyond the inferior landmarks without penetrating this fascia. Among the visible parts, the Glans penis—often referred to as the head of the penis—is one of the most distinct structures. The Shaft contains the internal structures responsible for rigidity, which are covered in a more detailed Anatomy guide. The skin of the Shaft is typically hairless and uniquely loose, a design which allows it to accommodate significant changes in size during an erection. Factual knowledge about penis anatomy helps normalize natural variations and reduces anxiety by replacing myths with facts. These muscles increase penile turgor during erection beyond that attainable by arterial pressure alone. The corpus spongiosum becomes bulbous where it is covered by the bulbospongiosus to form the urethral bulb. The tunical albuginea of the corpus spongiosum is thinner and contains smooth muscles that aid ejaculation. The latter group empties into branches of the superficial and deep inferior epigastric veins and into the superficial external and deep pudendal veins. This artery forms a network over the tunica vaginalis and usually anastomoses at the testicular mediastinum with the internal spermatic and deferential arteries. Extensive interconnections, especially between the internal spermatic and deferential arteries, allow maintenance of testis viability even after division of the internal spermatic artery. Together, these hormones form the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis that promotes and maintains sexual development and function in the male. The septum becomes more complete at the tip of the penis and toward the penile hilum, where the corpora cavernosa become independent and form separate crura. Et al. 3D-printed perfused models of the penis for the study of penile physiology and for restoring erectile function in rabbits and pigs. There are spaces between these trabeculae that can admit a greater amount of blood, making the penis an erectile organ. Surrounding the free part of the penis is a thin, sliding skin known as the foreskin. Sensory Function: Sexual Arousal and Pleasure Testosterone is the most commonly-studied hormone involved with sexuality, and it plays a key role in sexual arousal in males, with strong effects on central arousal mechanisms. With further sexual stimulation, the heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, and breathing becomes more rapid. As sexual arousal and stimulation continues, the glans of the erect penis will swell wider. The penis grows enlarged and firm, the skin of the scrotum is pulled tighter, and the testes are pulled up against the body. A loose fold of skin, called the prepuce, or foreskin, covers the glans penis. For those with a vagina, estrogens influence vaginal lubrication and elasticity of vulvovaginal tissues.In addition to covering the corpus spongiosum and both crura, Buck fascia anchors the bulbous portion of the urethra (corpus spongiosum) and each crus firmly to the pubis, to the inferior rami of the ischium , and to the urogenital diaphragm .The erectile tissue of the cavernosum becomes firm and enlarged when the erection occurs.The shape is mainly determined by the condition of the internal erectile tissue and its basic blood supply.The paired, fusiform-shaped ischiocavernosus muscles arise from the inner surfaces of the ischial tuberosities and ischiopubic rami .The Shaft is the main, cylindrical body of the penis that connects the Glans to the rest of the body and houses the internal erectile tissues. Physiology, Male Reproductive System The two cavernous veins join to form the main cavernous vein that lies under the cavernous artery and nerves. Blood from the sinusoids from the proximal third of the penis, carried by emissary veins, drains directly into the cavernous veins at the periphery of the corpora cavernosa. The veins leave the glans via a retrocoronal plexus to join the deep dorsal vein that runs in the groove between the corpora. The frenular branch of the dorsal artery curves around each side of the distal shaft to enter the frenulum and glans ventrally. Distally, the dorsal artery runs in a ventrolateral position near the sulcus prior to entering the glans. Engineering of erectile tissue: the state and future of corporal restoration Well, we could say those things – many people do all the freaking time – they just will never be factual things to say, and will tend to limit how people frame, explore and experience sexuality. Not only do labia look a whole bunch of different ways – more than you’ll probably ever know unless you have many sex partners with labia or work in sexual health – all variances with labia are just as okay as all variances of penises, hands or noses. Differences between partners when it comes to body and genital proportions, shape, size, strength and weight, as well as differences in how a partner engages in this sexual activity or that one, and the different dynamics of sexual relationships can all make any given kind of touch or sexual activity feel pretty different from one partnership to another. It may vary in color, texture, length, and thickness.) is) is rich with nerve endings, and stimulation of the mons can indirectly stimulate portions of the internal and external clitoris. Depending on the position someone is in for sexual activity that involves vaginal entry, too, that can put additional pressure or friction on the external clitoris. The relationships of male pelvic structures are illustrated in these complementary sagittal views—a paramedian and a median section. The reproductive function of the penis can be artificially prevented by a vasectomy, i.e. the surgical severing of the vas deferens. Sperm cells carry the man's genetic material and pass this genetic code on to the woman's egg cell. As a rule, the glans has a larger circumference than the penis shaft and remains more elastic when erect. When erect, the average penis is between 12 and 17 cm long and has a diameter of around 4 cm. The Frenulum: The Sensitive Band of Tissue In this view, the distal end of the penis is shown intact to demonstrate the glans and the frenulum and the relationship to the foreskin or prepuce . Beneath this is the deep extension of Colles fascia below the bulbospongiosus muscle, followed by Buck fascia and, finally, the tunica albuginea. The deep layer of Colles fascia, shown extending posteriorly under the distal aspect of the bulbocavernosus muscle, is also illustrated. Other tests include blood prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), which screens for prostate cancer. Other tests include semen analysis, which establishes fertility status and function of the seminiferous tubules, epididymis, and accessory sex glands. A majority of testosterone is bound to plasma proteins, particularly sex-hormone-binding globulins (SHBGs), which serve as storage. The semen then can enter the female vaginal canal, allowing the sperm to travel to and fertilize a potential egg within the female reproductive system. The semen then passes the bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s glands, which release a thick fluid that lubricates the urethral opening and clears the urethra of any urine residue. Although a majority of testosterone production in men come from the Leydig cells in testes, the adrenal cortex contributes some androgen production. Inhibin serves as the negative feedback control that Sertoli cells exert on the hypothalamic-pituitary system to decrease FSH release. FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to promote sperm production and release inhibin B and MIS. FSH and testosterone can stimulate Sertoli cells to release androgen-binding protein (ABP), which provides testosterone to germ cells during spermatogenesis. Testosterone can also exert some effect on Sertoli cells, found in the periphery of the seminiferous tubules of testes. “The urethral sponge is a very significant part of the clitoral systemexternal link, opens in a new tab. Feminist healthcare and women-centered sexologists do most frequently recognize the urethral sponge as what is typically called the G-spot, and do most frequently recognize it as yet one more part of the clitoris as a whole. If you’re just feeling or looking around at a time when you or a partner aren’t sexually excited, it can be harder to find. The clitoris can be harder to find for those with a smaller clitoris, or when someone isn’t sexually excited yet. The clitoral glans and shaft is usually more sensitive than the whole of the penis because the density of nerve endings is greater. The ridged bands are situated about halfway down the shaft, when the foreskin is retracted fully. There is some natural variation in the length of the foreskin, which often covers a bit more or less of the glans than illustrated. Dr John R. Taylor, co-author of two medical anatomical papers about the foreskin, explains the latest research at the Ridged Band website. Cavernosal nerves are a combination of parasympathetic and sympathetic afferent fibers, corresponding to the nerves of the autonomic system of the penis. This procedure alters the external anatomy by permanently exposing the glans penis. In the glans penis, however, the distal ligament, a continuation of the outer longitudinal layer of the tunica, is arranged centrally and acts as a trunk of the glans penis. These structures, termed the ventral thickening, are a continuation of the anterior fibers of the left and right bulbospongiosus muscles. The tunica of the corpora cavernosa is a bilayered structure that can be divided into an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. The corpus spongiosum is initiated posteriorly by a median expansion located just below the urogenital diaphragm, which is called the bulb of the penis. Anteriorly, the corpora cavernosa end abruptly behind an expansion of the corpus spongiosum, known as the glans. If we examine the two corpora cavernosa from below, we will see that in the anteroposterior line of union, a dihedral angle is formed, which, going forward, gradually transforms into a gutter, where the spongy body is lodged. These cord segments pass through the pelvic splanchnic nerves. The penis innervation is from spinal cord segments of the S2 to S4. The epithelial lining, which is from the groove, develop into the urethral plate. The elongation process drags the urethral folds ahead to become the lateral walls, which belongs to the urethral groove. When levels of estradiol increase in males, this can lead to pathological changes such as weak bones, development of breasts and loss of libido or infertility. It is important to note that testosterone can be converted peripherally to estradiol via aromatase from adipose tissue. Other key hormones include inhibin B and Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) hormone, both produced by the Sertoli cells in the testes. A procedure to enlarge the penis is only indicated in rare cases, such as in patients born with micropenis. If the penis starts to curve later, usually after age 40, it is a case of Peyronie’s disease. However, in some cases, the penis may curve upwards, downwards, or to either side. This improvement in the modeling of the anatomic-physiologic relationship between these structures has clinical implications for penile surgeries. This reflex is mediated through the dorsal nerve of the penis (afferent) via the pudendal nerve to the inferior hemorrhoidal nerves (efferent) and tests the integrity of spinal cord levels S2-S4. It is thought that this increased pressure compresses either the perineal and dorsal nerves or the perineal and dorsal arteries, leading to perineal numbness and erectile dysfunction. In the lower figure, note that perineal nerve and dorsal nerve of the penis, both derived from the pudendal nerve ( upper figure ), course medial to the ischial tuberosity on each side of the perineum. This fact enables the blood within the penis to transfer easily from the top to the bottom of the corpora. The tensile strength of the tunica is approximately 1200 – 1500 mmHg making this fascia one of the most strong in the body. To function effectively, these fascial layers must provide the penis with a wall container capable of withstanding a high degree of rigidity and axial strength when erect, yet be supple when flaccid. The three cylinders consist of paired corpora cavernosa and a single corpus spongiosum. The term sperm is derived from the Greek word for seed and refers to the male reproductive cells. Several hormones affect sexual arousal, including testosterone, cortisol, and estradiol. A young man or one with a strong sexual drive may experience enough sexual arousal for an erection with a passing thought or just the sight of a passerby. It’s a bit more obvious by looking when a penis is and isn’t erect, just because of the size differential, but when you become familiar with a vulva, be it yours or someone else’s, you’ll usually be able to get to know the differences in time if you pay attention. A lot of people don’t know that the clitoris is bigger than anyone can see (unless they’ve got X-ray eyes). Rather, what we mean is that an area like that is usually more receptive to strong pressure or temperature changes than it is to fine touch, unless touch to it also engages parts that are more densely packed with more receptive and sensitive nerve endings. The nerves supplying the spermatic cord, epididymis, vas deferens, and testis track along the internal spermatic artery or the vas deferens to reach these organs (see Plate 2-10 ). The unstriated muscle in the dartos fascia is innervated by fine autonomic fibers that arise from the hypogastric plexus and reach the scrotum along with the blood vessels. The iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves are both derived from L1 and supply multiple motor branches to the abdominal wall muscles and sensory innervation to the skin of the lower abdomen and genitalia. The perineal branch supplies somatic motor function to the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles and also to the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm, including the sphincter urethrae (external sphincter). The pudendal nerve traverses the pelvis adjacent to the internal pudendal artery (see Plate 2-6 ) and is distributed to the same organs as the vessel supplies. The sub-preputial wetness contains lyzosyme, a secretion that acts to destroy harmful microorganisms.23 The prepuce contains Langerhans cells which may provide resistance to HIV infection.39,41, Fleiss, Hodges, and Van Howe discuss the immunological functions of the prepuce in detail,39 as do Cold and Taylor.41 The prepuce is a folded double layer of skin and mucosa so it must be unfolded to determine its true size. The prepuce normally covers the glans penis and protects it from foreign matter, friction, drying, and injury. These structures support the perineal body and pelvic viscera. The bulbospongiosus muscles cross the pelvic outlet intersecting with the superficial transverse perineal muscles. The spinal ganglia of S2 to S4 passes through the pudendal nerves. The arteries of the bulb of the penis supply the bulbous part of the corpus spongiosum, urethra, and bulbourethral gland. The branches of the internal pudendal arteries are the main supplier of blood to the penis. The bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscle compress the veins to prevent them from draining blood from the corpora cavernosa. The other function of the penis is to drain urine from the body. The ejaculation phase is due to the sympathetic response and is when semen exits from the urethra through the external urethral orifice. The erectile tissue of the cavernosum becomes firm and enlarged when the erection occurs. The frenulum of the prepuce connects it to the urethral surface of the penis glans. The neck of the corona glans separates it from the body of the penis. Circumcision may also contribute to erectile dysfunction by destroying some of the erogenous sensory tissue in the prepuce that participates in the erectile response. However, Van Howe and Cold explain that circumcised men may have more difficulty in obtaining sexual satisfaction from intercourse—due to the loss of the fine-touch neuroreceptors in the prepuce—and so turn to other sexual practices.36 Laumann et al. report that men who have lost their prepuce to circumcision tend to exhibit a more elaborated set of sexual practices than do men who are not circumcised.35 Some have improperly interpreted this statement to mean that circumcised men have more fun. In comparison to the prepuce, the glans penis is much less innervated and sensitive.25,27 The corona (rim) is the most highly innervated part of the glans penis.25 Stimulation of the coronal area of the glans penis may trigger ejaculation.37 The prepuce of the typical complete male may protect the corona from direct stimulation during intercourse and so tends to prevent premature and unwanted ejaculation. The arteries of the bulb of the penis supply the bulbous part of the corpus spongiosum, urethra, and bulbourethral gland.The lower urinary tract and male genital system.However someone tells you they prefer to identify their gender or their body parts, that’s how you should identify them, too.The foreskin tissue of an infant male may appear to be quite small, but that tissue grows in the adult to be a substantial area.It takes origin from the perineal body in the perineum as well as from a median raphe in the midline.Spermatogenesis, essential for sexual reproduction is highly dependent upon optimal conditions to occur correctly.If we had violent or negative experiences or ideas about a given part, even if it’s packed densely with sensory nerve receptors, it can feel unpleasant instead of pleasant. Acting like a high-pressure hydraulic container, this sheath is composed of ~95% collagen and 5% elastin, giving it an immense tensile strength capable of withstanding 1,200–1,500 mmHg, crucial for maintaining flow to the penis. Inhibin is secreted by the Sertoli cells and acts to decrease the levels of FSH. Androgen-binding protein is essential to concentrating testosterone in levels high enough to initiate and maintain spermatogenesis, which can be times higher than the concentration found in blood. Such anatomy prevents the erect penis from sinking into the perineum when faced with an axially-oriented vaginal compressive load during intercourse.Within the shaft of the penis, there is free communication between the corpora cavernosa through an incomplete midline septum.The middle vesical artery, supplying the bladder fundus and seminal vesicles, may originate from either the internal iliac artery or a branch of the superior vesical artery.At the sides of the bulbourethral glands, there is a pair of long cylindrical parts called the corpora cavernosa.The shaft of the penis itself does not contain skeletal muscles; its erection is achieved through blood engorgement of the erectile tissues.The penis is the copulatory organ in male mammals and is also the organ responsible for urine discharge from their body. While we more often hear folks with penises talking about “getting hard,” people with clitorises get hard, too. You also can often see that when someone is very sexually aroused, their clitoris will often look a bit bigger, and can feel that it’s harder than in its resting state. Even for those who have had an external part of their clitoris excised or injured there are still going to be internal portions of the clitoris present. Before we leave the discussion of penis-having folks, the testes and scrotum are primarily reproductive in function (in other words, they’re mostly about babymaking), but as anyone who has had a testicular injury can attest, they also have many sensory nerve endings. FAQs on Penis Anatomy: Structure, Blood Supply & Types A diagram of the external parts of the penis, including the Shaft, Glans, Urethral Meatus, Corona, and Foreskin. Understanding “penis anatomy” is clinically and personally important because this knowledge enables health awareness, comprehension of sexual function, and informed medical decision-making. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and can fertilize female ova. This is achieved by regulation of blood flow and positioning towards and away from the heat of the body by the cremaster muscle and the dartos smooth muscle in the scrotum. Spermatozoa are the mature male gametes in many sexually reproducing organisms. Motile sperm cells typically move via flagella and require a water medium in order to swim toward the egg for fertilization.These cells cannot swim backwards due to the nature of their propulsion. This energy is used for the journey through the female cervix, uterus, and uterine tubes. The head contains the nucleus with densely coiled chromatin fibers, surrounded anteriorly by an acrosome that contains enzymes for penetrating the female egg. The human sperm cell is haploid so that its 23 chromosomes can join the 23 chromosomes of the female egg to form a diploid cell. After fusion with egg cells during fertilization, a new organism forms, beginning as a totipotent zygote. The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supplies the cremaster and dartos layers of the scrotum and is responsible for the cremasteric reflex that can be compromised with swelling of the spermatic cord as a consequence of testis torsion. Somatic nerves to the pelvic organs are derived from the lumbosacral plexus containing input from T12 to S4. These muscles are important for somatic nervous system control of expulsion of the ejaculate that occurs with ejaculation. Once in the ejaculatory duct, the semen passes through the prostate, which secretes an alkaline fluid that helps thicken the semen so sperm can better stay within the female reproductive system. When ejaculation occurs, smooth muscle contractions of the epididymis pushes sperm into the ductus deferens (vas deferens), which sits in the spermatic cord. The epididymis is a coiled structure consisting of a head, body, and tail. Spermatogenesis starts at puberty with the germ cells found in the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Like the vagina, most of those nerve endings are concentrated around the opening and just inside the rectum. However someone tells you they prefer to identify their gender or their body parts, that’s how you should identify them, too. If in doubt about what kind of genitals someone has, what they like to call them, or how a person genders themselves in relationship to their body, just ask. If touching yourself with your hands doesn’t work, you might be able to use other body parts, or even notice how parts of your body feel when sheets, clothing, the rain, or the wind touch it. Our findings support the further development of 3D-printed blood-vessel-rich functional organs for transplantation.This fascial layer is found deep to Camper fascia that backs the skin as a loose layer of fatty tissue.The rich lymphatic network of the prostate, as well as the prostatic urethra, ends in the external iliac lymph nodes.Although the anatomy of the penis naturally includes a certain degree of curvature, it is mild and does not interfere with the man’s sexual life.The bulbospongiosus muscles cross the pelvic outlet intersecting with the superficial transverse perineal muscles.FSH and testosterone can stimulate Sertoli cells to release androgen-binding protein (ABP), which provides testosterone to germ cells during spermatogenesis. The mechanical properties of the tunica which allow for maximum volume changes of the erect penis are called tunica dispensability. The average volume increase of the erect penis from the flaccid volume is 3-fold with a range from 1.7 – 5 fold. Approximately 5% of the tunica is elastin which enables the penis to develop elongation. This unique anatomic arrangement, however, unfortunately places the penile crus at great danger from crush injuries during blunt perineal trauma. The Foreskin, or Prepuce, is the retractable, double-layered sleeve of skin and mucous membrane that covers the Glans in uncircumcised males, serving both protective and sensory roles. The Meatus is the external opening of the urethra, serving both urinary and reproductive functions. For a deeper understanding, visit our page on the glans penis structure and sensory function. Learning the terms for the visible parts of the penis is a positive step toward feeling confident and informed about your own body. Our goal is to demystify the body and provide you with precise language about the visible parts of the penis. A part of the penis is outside the body and the other part is inside. For open communication about sexuality, it is important to trust Despite concerns about penis size, most men have penile dimensions compatible with the average and do not need penile enlargement. This allows blood to rush into the sponge-like spaces of the corpora cavernosa at a high rate. How does the unique structure of the erectile tissues facilitate an erection? What is the difference between the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum? In the autonomic nerve fibers, the parasympathetic fibers cause the dilation of the blood vessels while the sympathetic fibers cause their constriction. The penis also has sensory and autonomic (involuntary) nerves. The Sertoli cells themselves mediate parts of spermatogenesis through hormone production. However, it is known that initiation of spermatogenesis occurs at puberty due to the interaction of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and Leydig cells. The male reproductive system is regulated by the production, stimulation, and feedback of specific hormones. The vascularization of the deep structures comes from the common penile artery, a branch of the internal pudendal artery. During an erection, the hemodynamic process begins, and the penis becomes engorged with blood, facilitating sexual intercourse. Penis size is primarily determined by the genetic blueprint influencing the growth of its erectile tissues, the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, during puberty. The intermediate system consists of the deep dorsal vein and circumflex veins that drain the glans, corpus spongiosum and distal two-thirds of the corpora cavernosa. The cavernous artery (deep artery fo the penis) usually arises form the penile artery, but may originate from the accessory pudendal. The urethral artery commonly arises as a separate branch form the penile artery, but may arise from the artery to the bulb, the cavernous or the dorsal artery. The bulbo-urethral artery supplies the bulb of the urethra, the corpus spongiosum and the glans penis. Buck’s fascia has a dense structure and is composed of longitudinally running fibers; it is firmly attached to the underlying tunica albuginea and encloses the deep dorsal vein, dorsal arteries and dorsal nerves. As noted above, circumcision inteferes with penile circulation by destroying several important blood vessels that provide circulation to the penis.The scrotal skin contains a rich network of lymphatics that join the lymphatics of the penile skin and the prepuce.Control of this venous plexus is critical to reduce blood loss during radical prostatectomy procedures.The G-spot and urethral sponge have been linked, it’s just that research is still sparse to determine if they are the same, different, related or unrelated.The arteries and veins of the penis enter or leave at the level of the bulb and branches of the penis, they occur longitudinally on its back, providing collateral branches throughout the course.This artery forms a network over the tunica vaginalis and usually anastomoses at the testicular mediastinum with the internal spermatic and deferential arteries.The helicine arteries of the penis are branches of the deep arteries of the penis which are coiled when the penis is flaccid. Sperm cells enter the woman's internal sexual organs via the penis. The erectile tissue fills with blood during sexual arousal and thus ensures an erection. Alongside the testicles, the penis is one of the external sexual organs of the male. The prepuce has a sheath of smooth muscle tissue inside the skin which is called the peripenic muscle.8,22,41 The muscle fibers are arranged in a whorl at the end of the foreskin to form a sphincter.8 The muscle fibers keep the foreskin snugly against the glans penis.22 The primary blood supply comes from the internal pudendal artery, which delivers the high volume of blood needed to fill the erectile tissues and cause an erection. Pudendal nerves are in charge of the sensitive and motor somatic innervations. The penis is also supported by suspensory ligament. In conclusion, the “penis anatomy” functions as an elegant and intricate integration of its structural, vascular, and nervous systems to perform its vital roles in penis health. The sensations from the specialised receptors of the frenar band, frenulum and inner foreskin layer are missing. On the outstroke the glans is partially or completely engulfed by the foreskin. This is not an indication for circumcision, because there are good alternative treatments available that preserve the structure and function of the foreskin. If we had violent or negative experiences or ideas about a given part, even if it’s packed densely with sensory nerve receptors, it can feel unpleasant instead of pleasant. Lists of erogenous zones can sometimes be arbitrary – when someone lists them, sometimes they’re just making a list of what they personally like best – but for many people, typical erogenous zones include the lips, tongue, palms and fingers, the soles of the feet, the inner thighs, nipples, neck, ears, armpits and the genitals. That’s why, for instance, we can find a lot of people who feel highly stimulated by someone rubbing their nipples, and fewer people who feel highly stimulated by someone rubbing their elbows. After all, if sex was only or mostly about our genitals, even with genital diversity, it would be sound to expect that those of us with the same basic parts would have the same experiences with a given kind of touch. Sexuality is physical and sensory, but also chemical, emotional (yes, even for anyone who says sex isn’t at all emotional for them), psychological, intellectual, social, cultural and multi-sensory. Erectile dysfunction is the most common disorder affecting the male penis. This is a rupture of the erectile tissue, which in most cases is accompanied by massive hematomas. (Link to ) In summary, the prepuce is a unique specialized structure with important immunological, protective, mechanical, erogenous, and sexual functions. O'Hara and O'Hara surveyed 138 women who had experience with both circumcised male partners and intact complete male partners.42 20 of the 138 preferred circumcised male partners while 118 (85.5%) preferred intact male partners with anatomically complete penises over circumcised males. Our cultural understanding of the vagina as THE sexual organ of women is deeply flawed, most likely due to male sexual experience and male desire and fantasy writing women’s sexual script through most of history.Centrifugal artery branches give rise to arterioles that become individual intertubular and peritubular capillaries.Both sets of labia contain sensory nerve endings, and the labia majora also house both the crura and the vestibular bulbs.A lot of people don’t know that the clitoris is bigger than anyone can see (unless they’ve got X-ray eyes).This skin is slightly darker than the rest of the body, is loose, and gets folded when the penis is in a flaccid state.The urethra, after passing through the urogenital diaphragm, pierces the dorsal surface of the corpus spongiosum and is contained within it.In summary, the prepuce is a unique specialized structure with important immunological, protective, mechanical, erogenous, and sexual functions.In comparison to the prepuce, the glans penis is much less innervated and sensitive.25,27 The corona (rim) is the most highly innervated part of the glans penis.25 Stimulation of the coronal area of the glans penis may trigger ejaculation.37 The prepuce of the typical complete male may protect the corona from direct stimulation during intercourse and so tends to prevent premature and unwanted ejaculation.Genital sex doesn’t work for all of us, and for most people sex that’s only genital tends to get old really fast. Such anatomy prevents the erect penis from sinking into the perineum when faced with an axially-oriented vaginal compressive load during intercourse. The crural (roots) of the corpora cavernosa attach at the under surface of the ischiopubic rami as two separate structures. If the surgery was performed on an infant, by adulthood a relatively thick keratin layer will have formed on the normally skinless mucosal surface of the glans, which further reduces the stimulation. Within this space, confined by the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm on its deep aspect, lie the bulbospongiosus , ischiocavernosus, and superficial transverse perineal muscles. The deep leaf of Colles fascia lying beneath the bulbospongiosus muscle, together with the superficial or major layer of fascia, forms a compartment for the bulbospongiosus muscle. This so-called deep layer passes posteriorly, deep to the bulbospongiosus muscles , whereas the major leaf of Colles fascia in the perineal region is entirely superficial to the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles. The penis, the male copulatory organ, is a cylindrical pendant organ located anterior to the scrotum and functions to transfer sperm to the vagina. The Penis, Vertical section of bladder, penis, and urethra Henry Vandyke Carter, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Micropenis is when the penis is 2.5 standard deviations below the mean in length measured along the dorsal surface from the pubis to the tip of the penis stretched. This causes urine to be excreted through this opening instead of the external urethral meatus. After removing the deep layer of Colles fascia and the overlying bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles that cover the penile shaft and crura in Plate 2-3 , the true extent of Buck fascia is revealed. At this point, the deep layer of Colles fascia also turns backward around each penile crus and around the corpus spongiosum. Thus, deep to the skin exists a continuous superficial fascial plane that begins in the lower abdomen and extends inferiorly to encompass the penis, scrotum, and anterior half of the perineum. This fascial layer is found deep to Camper fascia that backs the skin as a loose layer of fatty tissue. The shape is mainly determined by the condition of the internal erectile tissue and its basic blood supply. We’re going to start not just with the parts every one of us has, but also with the part of everyone’s body that influences sexuality the most. You might be used to sexual anatomy being framed as male or female, but as we usually don’t, we’re not going to do it that way this time, either. There are a lot of densely packed nerve endings in our genitals, and if and when we stimulate them ourselves, wantedly have them stimulated by others, or rub two sets together, it does tend to often result in a sexual kapowie. Ultimately, all the parts and systems of the body are potential sexual organs in the context of pleasure. The points of fascial fixation, as described, lead to exudative, infectious, or extravasative processes taking on a characteristic “butterfly” shape of discoloration in this region. In the perineum, this fascia attaches laterally to the inferior rami of the pubis and the superior rami of the ischium and is called Colles fascia . In the lower lateral abdominal region, Scarpa fascia is attached to the Poupart ligament , or to the fascia lata of the upper thigh just below this ligament. In the upper abdomen, this fascia cannot be identified as a distinct membranous structure because it blends with the general superficial fascia of the upper abdomen. While for many years now, medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics have made clear there are not compelling health reasons to remove an infant’s foreskin, some people who have been circumcised were because parents or doctors simply didn’t have the most current information. The sensations you feel in your penis are about your whole body, including your brain and nervous system, your cardiovascular system, and nerves that don’t even start in your penis in the first place. As we mentioned earlier, the base of the penis is inside the body, but can still play a part in pleasure especially with perineal massage or receptive (as in, inside that person’s bottom, not putting the penis in someone else’s) anal sex. Sexual sensation of the penis is primarily fueled by the dorsal nerves and the pudendal nerve. These ligaments typically support the erect penis at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the abdomen. The sympathetic (anti-erectile/ejaculatory) pathway from T11-L2 promotes vasoconstriction to maintain flaccidity or trigger ejaculation. A flowchart illustrating the 4-step biochemical cascade of an erection, from the initial nerve signal to the final state of vascular engorgement. The ductuli efferentes possess cuboidal cells with microvilli and lysosomal granules that modify the semen by reabsorbing some fluid.The septum is incomplete distally, perforated on its dorsal margin by vertically orientated openings in the pectiniform septum that provides communication between the corpora.It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and can fertilize female ova.The glans penis has a copious amount of sensory nerve endings.The foreskin also produces and distributes its own lubrication, smegma, an accumulation of shed skin cells, skin oils and other moisture.The excess cytoplasm, known as residual bodies, is phagocytosed by surrounding Sertoli cells in the testes. When it comes to sensory nerves, not all parts of the body are created equal. Once you understand how the brain is our largest and most important sex organ you can also begin to see how thinking differently isn’t necessarily a negative when it comes to sexual pleasure. No matter what other parts of our bodies are part of what’s going on with us sexually our brain is our biggest, most important and most active sexual organ. The attachment of the ligament to the pubic symphysis maintains the penile position during erection. In this state the penis is capable of delivering the genetic material contained in the sperm duringcoitus. This artery is therefore commonly injured during blunt perineal traumatic events such as falling onto the top tube of a bicycle. The corpora cavernosa sinusoids are widely communicative and larger in the center of the corpora, having a Swiss-cheese appearance. Regions of the tunica with focal poor dispensability cause the erect penis to bend. In uncircumcised males, the foreskin (or prepuce) is a retractable, double-layered fold of skin, fascia, and mucous membrane that covers and protects the glans. The urethral meatus is the vertical, slit-like opening at the very tip of the head of the penis, serving as the terminal exit for both urine and semen, which is essential for sexual function and urination. In the types of sexual reproduction known as anisogamy and oogamy, there are marked differences in the size of the gametes, with the smaller termed the “male” or sperm cells. A male erection can occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence) without conscious sexual arousal or due to mechanical stimulation (e.g. rubbing against a bed sheet) alone. The penis consists of three columns of erectile tissue that are wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin. The normal environment of the vagina is a hostile one for sperm cells, as it is acidic (from the native microflora producing lactic acid), viscous, and patrolled by immune cells. The seminal plasma provides a nutritive and protective medium for the spermatozoa during their journey through the female reproductive tract. The ductuli efferentes possess cuboidal cells with microvilli and lysosomal granules that modify the semen by reabsorbing some fluid. Sertoli cells, which nurture and support developing spermatocytes, secrete a fluid into seminiferous tubules that helps transport sperm to the genital ducts. The bulbourethral glands secrete a clear fluid to lubricate the lumen of the urethra. This artery supplies blood to the pelvic structures and organs and the inside of the thighs. This skin is commonly known as the foreskin (prepuce) and it extends further to cover the glans. The glans penis has a circular fold of skin where it begins. This process enlarges and hardens the penis, making it erect due to the increased blood pressure. This blood is normally allowed to flow out by the blood vessels but their constriction holds the bloods in the penis for some time. For a broader anatomical overview, refer to our complete penile anatomy breakdown. Resection of this plexus or division of the abdominal sympathetic chain generally results in smooth muscle paralysis in these organs that is clinically manifest as either retrograde ejaculation or complete anejaculation, depending on the degree of injury. These adrenergic nerves terminate as postganglionic fibers and innervate the bladder neck, prostate, vasa deferentia, and seminal vesicles. Below this point, various ramifications of these nerves form the inferior hypogastric nerve plexus and branches from these two plexuses pass on to the pelvic organs. They descend through the preaortic plexus and abdominal chains to the presacral area and form a distinct midline nerve plexus usually located below the aortic bifurcation called the superior hypogastric plexus. The bases of each triangle are shared and extend between the bony ischial tuberosities , roughly paralleling the course of the transverse perineal muscles. The paired, fusiform-shaped ischiocavernosus muscles arise from the inner surfaces of the ischial tuberosities and ischiopubic rami . It takes origin from the perineal body in the perineum as well as from a median raphe in the midline. The bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and transverse perineal muscles lie within the superficial perineal compartment (see Plate 2-3 ). This – and the fact that orgasm is more about the brainexternal link, opens in a new tab and nervous system than body parts where physical stimulation that might be part of why we have an orgasm occurs – is one reason why classifying orgasms like “vaginal orgasm” or “clitoral orgasm” is problematic. Pleasure is a big and vital part of most of our lives, including sexual pleasure, and the anatomical basics of sexual pleasure need be no more a mystery than where babies come from. Sexual anatomy is also often presented as only about genitals because sexual anatomy presentations tend to privilege reproduction above pleasure and cultural thinking about sexuality often isn’t very holistic or sophisticated.