Dominic Stone
The penis is a male organ used for reproduction and urination. It is not a muscle, but it does contain muscles that allow it to function. These muscles, along with fibrous tissue, veins, arteries, and the urethra, enable the penis to become erect, ejaculate, and urinate. The root of the penis contains two muscles: the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus. The ischiocavernosus muscle surrounds the left and right crura of the penis and helps maintain an erection by forcing blood into the corpora cavernosa. The bulbospongiosus muscle is associated with the bulb of the penis and helps to empty the urethra of residual semen and urine. These muscles, along with the urethralis and ischiourethral muscles, support the functions of the penis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Soft, spongy tissue, muscles, fibrous tissue, veins, arteries, and the urethra |
| Muscle Types | Ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, retractor penis, and urethralis |
| Muscle Functions | Compression of veins to maintain erections, expulsion of urine and semen, and retraction of the penis into the prepuce |
| Muscle Innervation | Parasympathetic stimulation, acetylcholine, endothelial cells, and nitric oxide |
| Muscle Treatment | Conservative treatment, surgical evacuation, and radical surgery for penis injuries |
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What You'll Learn
The penis is not a muscle but contains muscles
While the penis is not a muscle, it does contain muscles. The penis is an external male organ used for reproduction and urination. It is made up of the root, body, and glans. The root is the most proximal, fixed part of the penis and is not visible externally. The body of the penis is the middle portion and is mostly made up of corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum, and spongy urethra. The distal part of the penis is known as the glans penis.
The root of the penis contains three erectile tissues (two crura and the bulb of the penis) and two muscles (ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus). The ischiocavernosus muscle surrounds the left and right crura of the penis and helps maintain an erection by forcing blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa. The bulbospongiosus muscle is associated with the bulb of the penis and helps to empty the urethra of any residual semen and urine. It also aids in maintaining an erection by increasing the pressure in the bulb of the penis.
The penis also contains the urethralis muscle, which surrounds the pelvic portion of the urethra and the bulbourethral glands. The urethralis muscle contracts to force the release of seminal fluid during ejaculation and empty the last vestiges of urine during urination. The bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles also play a role in ejaculation by compressing the veins to prevent them from draining blood from the corpora cavernosa.
While the penis itself is not a muscle, the muscles it contains are essential for its functions, including maintaining an erection, ejaculation, and urination. These muscles work in conjunction with the erectile tissues, connective tissues, ligaments, and skin of the penis to enable its various functions.
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The bulbospongiosus muscle
In males, the bulbospongiosus muscle arises from both the medial raphe and perineal body. The fibres of the muscle wrap around the bulb and the corpus spongiosum to attach to the dorsal side of the penis. The bulbospongiosus muscle contributes to the erection, the contractions of orgasm, and ejaculation. It does so by compressing the veins within the bulb of the penis to maintain tumescence. The muscle also serves to empty the canal of the urethra of any residual urine or semen after the bladder has expelled its contents.
In females, the bulbospongiosus muscle arises from the perineal body but is distinctly separated on each side. The fibres then travel to cover the vestibular bulbs and greater vestibular glands. The muscle contributes to clitoral erection and the contractions of orgasm, and closes the vagina. It also aids in the expression of the greater vestibular glands and constricts the vaginal orifice.
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The ischiocavernosus muscle
Contraction of the ischiocavernosus muscle helps to maintain penile erections during sexual arousal and intercourse. This occurs through the compression of the crus of the penis, pushing blood away from its roots and into the distal parts. The surrounding veins that drain the penis are also compressed, restricting venous outflow.
In females, the ischiocavernosus muscle covers the smaller crus of the clitoris, with attachments to the ischiopubic ramus. The muscle functions similarly to maintain clitoral erections.
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Muscles around the corpus cavernosum
The penis is an external male organ used for reproduction and urination. It is composed of three parts: the glans, body, and root. The body of the penis is made up of three cylinders of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. The corpora cavernosa are two expandable regions of erectile tissue that run along the penile shaft and are surrounded by a dense fibrous sheath of connective tissue called the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea is thicker dorsally, where it surrounds the corpora cavernosa, and thinner ventrally, where it forms a groove to accommodate the corpus spongiosum.
The corpora cavernosa are composed of sponge-like tissue containing trabeculae, irregular blood-filled spaces lined by endothelium. During an erection, the corpora cavernosa fill with blood, expanding in length and diameter to hold 90% of the blood involved. The tunica albuginea surrounding the corpora cavernosa also plays a role in achieving an erection. As the spongy tissue fills with blood, it presses against the tunica albuginea, constricting the veins and preventing blood from leaving, resulting in a rigid penis.
The ischiocavernosus muscles surround the left and right crura of the penis and play an active role in achieving and maintaining an erection. They contract to force blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa. Additionally, the ischiocavernosus muscles, along with the bulbospongiosus muscles, compress the veins to prevent blood from draining from the corpora cavernosa. The bulbospongiosus muscles are associated with the bulb of the penis and contract to empty the spongy urethra of any residual semen and urine. They also aid in maintaining an erection by increasing the pressure in the bulb of the penis.
The deep penile (Buck) fascia is a strong, deep fascial layer that surrounds the three erectile bodies and is continuous with the deep fascia of the muscles covering the crura and bulb of the penis, including the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles. This deep penile fascia is immediately superficial to the tunica albuginea, providing additional support to the penile structures.
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Muscles that aid urination
The penis is not a muscle, but an external male organ that is used for reproduction and urination. It contains the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the external urethral orifice, where it is expelled from the body.
The root of the penis contains two muscles: the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus. The ischiocavernosus muscle surrounds the left and right crura of the penis. It contracts to force blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa, helping to maintain an erection. The bulbospongiosus muscle, which covers the CSP (cavernosum spongiosum penis) and extends nearly the entire length of the penis, contracts to empty the spongy urethra of any residual semen and urine. It also aids in maintaining an erection by increasing the pressure in the bulb of the penis.
The urethralis muscle surrounds the pelvic portion of the urethra and the bulbourethral glands. Through its contractions, it forces the release of seminal fluid during ejaculation, as well as the emptying of the last vestiges of urine during urination.
The bulb of the penis and crura contain erectile tissue. The middle portion of the penis is called the body of the penis, which lacks muscles and consists mostly of corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum, and spongy urethra with supporting skin, connective tissue, and blood, lymph, and fascia. The distal part of the penis is known as the glans penis, with the proximal portion of the glans termed the corona. The tip of the glans contains the opening to the urethra, known as the meatus.
The penis also contains soft, spongy tissue, fibrous tissue, veins, arteries, and the urethra, which allow the penis to perform its functions. When a person experiences arousal, the penis fills with blood, causing an erection. The rigidity of the erection enables a person to penetrate a partner and have sex. Following sexual activity or manual stimulation, a person can then ejaculate. After ejaculation or loss of arousal, the penis returns to a flaccid state.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the penis is not a muscle. It is an external organ of the male reproductive system.
The penis contains two muscles: the ischiocavernosus and the bulbospongiosus.
The ischiocavernosus muscle surrounds the left and right crura of the penis. It contracts to force blood from the cavernous spaces in the crura into the corpora cavernosa, helping to maintain an erection.
The bulbospongiosus muscle is associated with the bulb of the penis. It contracts to empty the spongy urethra of any residual semen and urine. The anterior fibres also aid in maintaining an erection by increasing the pressure in the bulb of the penis.
