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Penis Anatomy - all about penis anatomy
The
penis, the male organ of copulation, is partly inside and partly
outside the body. The human penis is anatomically divided into two
continuous areas - the body, or external portion, and the root,
or internal portion. The body of the penis, sometimes referred to
as the shaft, is cylindrical in shape when flaccid but when erect
is somewhat triangular in cross section, with the angles rounded.
The root of the penis begins directly below the bulbourethral glands
with a long cylindrical body of tissue known as the corpus spongiosum
(or corpus cavernosum urethrae). This tissue extends through the
body of the penis to the tip, where it expands into a mushroom-shaped
structure called the glans penis. Running through the center of
the corpus spongiosum is the urethra, a common passage for semen
and urine; the urethra ends in a slit-like opening at the tip of
the glans penis. Beginning alongside of the bulbourethral glands
is a pair of long cylindrical bodies called the corpora cavernosa
penis. These continue through the body of the penis, occupying the
sides and upper portion directly above the corpus spongiosum; they
terminate immediately before the glans penis.
The
base of the glans has a projecting margin, the corona, and the groove
where the corona overhangs the corpora cavernosa is referred to
as the neck of the penis. The corpora cavernosa consist of empty
spaces divided by partitions of tissue. The tissue consists of muscle,
collagen (a fibrous protein), and elastic fiber. The corpora cavernosa
are termed erectile tissue, because during sexual excitation, their
fibrous tissue is expanded by blood that flows into and fills their
empty spaces. The blood is temporarily trapped in the penis by the
constriction of blood vessels that would normally allow it to flow
out. The penis becomes enlarged, hardened, and erect as a result
of this increased blood pressure. The corpus spongiosum is also
considered erectile tissue. This area, however, does not become
as enlarged as the other two during erection, for it contains more
fibrous tissue and less space; unlike the corpora cavernosa, the
corpus spongiosum has a constant blood flow during erection. A circular
layer of elastic tissue encloses the corpora cavernosa and corpus
spongiosum. A thin layer of skin in turn covers this circular layer
of tissue. The skin, which is slightly darker in colour than the
rest of the body, is loose and folded while the penis is in a flaccid
state. At the beginning of the glans penis, a circular fold of skin,
commonly called the foreskin (or prepuce), extends forward to cover
the glans. A median fold, the frenulum of the prepuce, passes to
the under surface of the glans to reach a point just behind the
urethral opening. The prepuce can usually be readily drawn back
to expose the glans.
Penis Erection: The creation of an erection is an extreme cascade
of events that requires many different things to happen. There are
numerous chemical transmitters involved in this including epinephrine,
norepinephrine, acetylcholine, prostaglandin's and nitric oxide.
An erection occurs when the nervous system activates a rapid increase
in blood flow. Numerous sexual stimuli are processed by the brain
and transmitted to the penis via the nervous system. Internally,
the penis has three long masses of cylindrical tissue, known as
erectile tissue, that are bound together by fibrous tissue. All
three masses are sponge-like; they contain large spaces between
loose networks of tissue. When the penis is in a flaccid, or resting,
state, the spaces are collapsed and the tissue is condensed. During
erection, blood flows into the spaces, causing distention and elevation
of the penis. The amount of blood entering the penis can be increased
by physical or psychological stimulation. As blood enters, there
is a temporary reduction in the rate and volume of blood leaving
the penis. The arteries carrying blood to the penis dilate; this,
in turn, causes tissue expansion. The veins leading from the penis
have funnel-shaped valves that reduce the outflow of blood. As the
erectile tissue begins to enlarge, the additional pressure causes
the veins to be squeezed against the surrounding fibrous tissue,
and this further diminishes the outflow of blood. Essentially, blood
becomes temporarily trapped in the organ.
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