Dorsal artery of the penis
| Dorsal artery of the penis | |
|---|---|
 Transverse section of the penis. (Dorsal artery visible at top.) | |
 The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery. (Dorsal artery of penis labeled at upper right.) | |
| Details | |
| Source | internal pudendal artery |
| Vein | deep dorsal vein of the penis |
| Supplies | penis |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria dorsalis penis |
| TA98 | A12.2.15.044M |
| TA2 | 4354 |
| FMA | 19795 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The Dorsal Artery of the Penis is a branch of the internal pudendal artery which ascends between the crus penis and the pubic symphysis, and, piercing the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm, passes between the two layers of the suspensory ligament of the penis, and runs forward on the dorsum of the penis to the glans, where it divides into two branches, which supply the glans and prepuce. The dorsal arteries do give perforators to the corpora caversona, however their contribution to erectile function is inconsistent. Through retrograde flow they help supply the distal shaft skin. Additionally, they give branches to the circumflex arteries which supply the corpus spongiosum. The major clinical relevance is in the case of traumatic amputation of the penis, failure to perform re-anastomosis of the dorsal arteries leads to skin loss.
On the penis, it lies between the dorsal nerve and deep dorsal vein, the former being on its lateral side.
It supplies the integument and fibrous sheath of the corpus cavernosum penis, sending branches through the sheath to anastomose with the deep artery of the penis.
Additional images
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Arteries and veins of the penis (Spanish) -
The penis in transverse section, showing the bloodvessels. -
Diagram of the arteries of the penis. -
Cross section of penis
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 620 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- Anatomy figure: 42:01-01 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Cross-section of the penis."
- Anatomy image:9477 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- perineum at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (maleugtriangle4)
- figures/chapter_32/32-2.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
- figures/chapter_32/32-3.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
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