| Dorsal artery of the penis | |
|---|---|
 Transverse section of thepenis. (Dorsal artery visible at top.) | |
 The deeper branches of theinternal 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 | |
Thedorsal artery of the penis is a bilaterally paired terminal branch of theinternal pudendal artery which passes upon the dorsum of the penis to the base of theglans penis, where it unites with its contralateral partner and supply the glans and foreskin.
The dorsal artery of the penis provides blood supply to the skin and fascia of the penis (including the foreskin), and the erectile tissues of the penis (especially the glans penis).
The dorsal artery of the penis may be damaged in traumatic amputation of the penis and repairing the dorsal artery surgically prevents skin loss, but it is not essential for sexual and urinary function. Itshemodynamics andblood pressure can be assessed to test for sexual impairment.
The dorsal artery of the penis is a terminal branch of theinternal pudendal artery, arising at the inferior border of the symphysis pubis.[1]
It passes between thecrus penis[2] and thepubic symphysis[citation needed] of the pelvis to reach the dorsal surface of the corpus cavernosus penis.[2]
As it pierces theperineal membrane, it (depending upon the source) passes between the two layers of thesuspensory ligament of the penis,[citation needed] or pierces the lateral lamina of thesuspensory ligament of penis.[1]
It passes distally along the dorsum of the penis to reach the base of theglans penis.[1] In the dorsum of the penis, it passes in between thedeep dorsal vein of penis (situated medially to the artery[citation needed]) anddorsal nerve of penis (situated laterally to the artery[citation needed]);[2] it is situated superficial to thedeep dorsal vein of penis.[1]
At the base of the glans penis, it anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart to form an arterial circle which suppliesglans penis andforeskin (prepuce).[1]
It sends branches through the fibrous sheath of the corpus cavernosum penis toanastomose with thedeep artery of the penis.[citation needed] It anastomoses with theartery of bulb of penis.[3] It terminates by anastomosing with its contralateral partner.[1]
The dorsal artery of the penis supplies the skin and fascia of the penis[1][3] including theforeskin (prepuce),[1][3] thecorpus cavernosum penis,[1] and the (especially[2]) theglans penis.[1][3][2]
Its superficial collateral branches are distributed to theinteguments of the penis.[1] It gives deep/perforating collateral branches to thecorpus cavernosum penis[1] (despite this, its contribution to erectile function is inconsistent[citation needed]). Through retrograde flow it helps supply theskin of thedistal shaft. It also gives branches to the circumflex arteries that supply thecorpus spongiosum.[citation needed]
This article incorporates text in thepublic domain frompage 620 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
