
The penis is not a muscle, but it does contain some muscle fibres and is surrounded by muscles that help with erections and ejaculation. The penis is made up of a mix of tissues, glands, arteries, veins, and muscle fibres that work together to create an erection. The penis is also not a bone, despite nicknames like boner suggesting otherwise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is the penis a muscle? | No, it is not a muscle but contains a few muscle fibres and muscles around blood vessels that are involved with producing an erection. |
| Is the penis a bone? | No, there are no bones in the penis. |
| What is the penis made of? | The penis is made up of a mix of tissues, glands, muscle fibres, blood vessels, nerves, arteries, veins, and skin. |
| What is the root of the penis? | The root is the most proximal, fixed part of the penis located in the superficial perineal pouch of the pelvic floor. It contains three erectile tissues (two crura and the bulb of the penis) and four muscles (two bulbospongiosus and two ischiocavernosus). |
| What is the body of the penis? | The body is the free part of the penis located between the root and glans. It is composed of three cylinders of erectile tissue – two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. |
| What is the glans of the penis? | The glans is the most distal part of the penis and is conical in shape. It is formed by the distal expansion of the corpus spongiosum and contains the opening of the urethra. |
| What is a penile fracture? | A penile fracture occurs when an erect penis is bent to the point of "breaking". It can also occur due to traumatic masturbation or blunt force trauma. |
| What are the different kinds of erections? | Different kinds of erections include morning wood, the kind you get when stimulated and aroused, and random erections that can happen for no apparent reason. |
| What is the average change in length between "showers" and "growers"? | The average change in length between "showers" and "growers" is only an inch and a half. |
| Does the sensitivity of the penis change with age? | Yes, studies show that the sensitivity of the penis steadily decreases with age, with the sharpest decline between 65 and 75 years. |
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What You'll Learn

The penis is not a muscle
Despite the common misconception, the penis is not a muscle. Nicknames like "boner" and "love muscle" are inaccurate. The penis is not a bone either. While the penis does contain muscle fibres, these are not the same as the muscles in your arms or legs.
The penis is a male sex organ that is part of the reproductive system. It is made up of a mix of tissues, glands, and muscle fibres that work together to create an erection. The penis is composed of three cylinders: two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum. These cylinders are filled with spongy tissue and arteries that run along their middle. When the muscles around the cylinders relax, blood flows into the empty spaces, causing the penis to swell and stiffen.
The muscle fibres in the penis help manage the blood that makes up erections. The ischiocavernosus muscles, bulbospongiosus muscle, and smooth muscle tissue within the penis work together to make the erection hard and steady. The penis also contains elastic tissues and fibres that help the erection stay stiff. However, it is important to note that exercises or weight training will not create an erection or make the penis bigger.
The penis has three main parts: the root, body, and glans. The root is the most proximal and fixed part of the penis, located in the superficial perineal pouch of the pelvic floor. It contains erectile tissues and muscles. The body is the free part of the penis, located between the root and glans. It is composed of three cylinders of erectile tissue. The glans are the most distal part of the penis, formed by the expansion of the corpus spongiosum.
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The penis is not a bone
The penis is composed of three cylinders covered in a sheath called the buck fascia. These cylinders include the corpus spongiosum and two corpora cavernosa, which contain spongy tissue and arteries that fill with blood during an erection. The penis also contains the urethra, which allows urine to pass from the bladder out of the body.
While the penis itself is not a muscle, there are muscles located in and around it that are involved in producing an erection and controlling bladder and sexual function. These include the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles, which help to force blood into the corpora cavernosa and maintain erection. The penis also contains smooth muscle fibres around blood vessels that help with erectile function.
It is important to note that the size of a penis can vary significantly when flaccid or erect, and that penis size is often overestimated. Additionally, the penis steadily loses sensitivity as men age, with the sharpest decline occurring between the ages of 65 and 75.
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The penis contains muscle fibres
While the penis is not a muscle, it does contain muscle fibres. The penis is a complex assortment of glands, specialised tissues, and muscle fibres that help with erectile function. The penis is made up of three parts: the root, the body, and the glans. The root is the most proximal, fixed part of the penis and contains two muscles: the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus. The ischiocavernosus muscles and bulbospongiosus muscle work together with the smooth muscle tissue within the penis to make an erection hard and steady its erect direction for sexual penetration.
The body is the free part of the penis, located between the root and the glans. It is composed of three cylinders of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. The corpora cavernosa contain spongy tissue and arteries that run along their middle. When the muscles around the corpora cavernosa relax, blood flows into their open spaces, causing the penis to swell and stiffen. The glans is the most distal part of the penis and is formed by the distal expansion of the corpus spongiosum. It contains the opening of the urethra, known as the external urethral orifice.
The penis is not a bone, nor does it contain any bones. While nicknames like "`boner'" are common, they are misleading. The penis is firm due to the filling of blood in the corpora cavernosa, which stiffens and causes an erection. The penis is also flexible due to the absence of bone structures, which allows for free motion and prevents painful fractures or breaks.
The penis relies on muscles internally and externally to function. The muscles in the penis, such as the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus, work together with other muscles in the perineal area and pelvic floor to assist in urinary and sexual function. For example, the bulbospongiosus muscle contracts to empty the urethra of residual semen and urine, while the ischiocavernosus muscle contracts to force blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa, helping to maintain an erection.
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The penis contains spongy tissue
The penis is an external organ of the male reproductive system. It is not a muscle, although it does contain some muscle fibres that help with erections and ejaculation. The penis is made up of three cylinders of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. The corpus spongiosum is a single structure that lies in the ventral groove between the two corpora cavernosa. The urethra passes through the corpus spongiosum, which fills to a reduced pressure to prevent occlusion during an erection.
The corpora cavernosa are two chambers of the penis that fill with blood to create an erection. They are separated by the septum of the penis, although often incompletely. The cut surface of the corpora cavernosa resembles a sponge. The corpus cavernosum contains spongy tissue and arteries that run along the middle of each. When the muscles around the corpus cavernosum relax, blood flows into its open spaces, causing the penis to stiffen and swell.
The corpus cavernosum is made mostly of smooth muscle. It also has structures called intracavernosal struts, which are thought to be important in keeping the erectile tissue in place. The corpus cavernosum contains erectile tissue, nerves, muscle fibres, and venous sinuses lined with flat endothelial cells. The tunica albuginea, a dense fibrous sheath of connective tissue, surrounds the corpora cavernosa.
The penis relies on muscles internally and externally to function. The ischiocavernosus muscles, bulbospongiosus muscle, and the smooth muscle tissue within the penis work together to make an erection hard and steady its erect direction for sexual penetration. The bulbospongiosus muscle contracts to empty the spongy urethra of any residual semen and urine. The anterior fibres of the bulbospongiosus also aid in maintaining an erection by increasing the pressure in the bulb of the penis. The ischiocavernosus muscles surround the left and right crura of the penis and contract to force blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa, helping to maintain an erection.
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The penis is part of the male reproductive system
The penis is indeed part of the male reproductive system, which also includes the scrotum, testicles, and epididymis as external structures. The male reproductive system is responsible for sexual function, fertility, and reproduction. It includes both external genitalia, such as the penis, testes, and scrotum, as well as internal parts, including the prostate gland, vas deferens, and urethra.
The penis has three main parts: the root, body, and glans. The root is the most proximal, fixed part of the penis, located in the superficial perineal pouch of the pelvic floor. It contains three erectile tissues (two crura and the bulb of the penis) and two muscles (ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus). The body is the free part of the penis, located between the root and glans and suspended from the pubic symphysis. It is composed of three cylinders of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. The glans, formed by the distal expansion of the corpus spongiosum, is the most distal part of the penis. It is conical in shape and contains the opening of the urethra, termed the external urethral orifice.
The penis does not contain any bones, contrary to the suggestion of the nickname "boner". It is made up of a complex assortment of glands, specialized tissues, and some muscle fibres that help with erectile function. The corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum are the spongy tissue segments that hold blood for erectile function, and the tunica albuginea is the fibrous tissue that protects them. The ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, and smooth muscle tissues within the penis work together to achieve and maintain an erection.
The penis is also associated with various conditions and health considerations. For example, phimosis is a condition where the foreskin cannot be retracted, and paraphimosis occurs when a retracted foreskin gets stuck behind the head of the penis, requiring emergency medical attention. Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin, which can lower the risk of urinary tract infections, STIs, and penile cancer. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight is important as obesity has been linked to erectile dysfunction. Regular cleaning of the penis, scrotum, and surrounding areas is recommended to maintain good hygiene and prevent infections.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the penis is not a muscle, but it does contain a few muscle fibres and muscles that help with erectile function.
The penis is made up of a mix of tissues, glands, and muscle fibres. It also contains blood vessels, vascular structures, connective tissue, and nerves.
The muscles in the penis include the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles.
The muscles in the penis work together with other structures to help achieve and maintain erections. They also help with urinary functions, such as emptying the urethra of residual semen and urine.


























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