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Penile Anatomy

The penis is two corpora cavernosa plus a corpus spongiosum (which carries the urethra and forms the glans) — each wrapped in tunica albuginea, all bound by Buck's fascia, supplied by the internal pudendal arteries, and draining skin-first to inguinal nodes.

Orientation

The big picture

The penis is composed of two corpora cavernosa and a corpus spongiosum, the latter containing the urethra. The corpus spongiosum enlarges distally to form the glans penis. Each corpus is enclosed in a fascial sheath, the tunica albuginea, and all three are surrounded by a thick fibrous envelope, Buck's fascia.

Golden rule

Tunica albuginea wraps each corpus; Buck's fascia binds all three; the internal pudendal artery supplies them; penile skin drains to inguinal nodes, the glans to subinguinal/external iliac nodes.

Pathophysiology

Mechanism pathway

Tap any step to see why it happens.

Illustration

Penis — transverse cross-section

Penis — transverse cross-section
Penis — transverse cross-section (paired corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum/urethra, tunica albuginea, Buck’s fascia, dorsal neurovascular bundle). Leading urology references.
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