[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Corpora cavernosa [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Corpora cavernosa The corpora cavernosa are the two spongy cylinders along the top of the penis; they fill with blood and make the penis rigid during an erection. Official name: Corpus cavernosum of penis [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=male&select=corpus_cavernosum&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two cylinders of spongy erectile tissue along the top of the penis, each in a tough coat (tunica albuginea); at the back they separate as the crura, attached to the pubic arch. ## What it does Fill with blood to make the penis rigid in erection; the tough coat limits their expansion and traps the blood. ## Key points - Penile fracture: the tunica albuginea of an erect corpus cavernosum tears, usually during intercourse; a crack, sudden loss of erection and a swollen, bent penis; the urethra is injured in some cases - Ischaemic priapism (painful, rigid, dark acidic blood on aspiration) is an emergency; non-ischaemic priapism is high-flow, often after perineal trauma, and usually painless - In priapism the glans and corpus spongiosum usually stay soft, because only the corpora cavernosa are engorged - Peyronie disease: fibrous plaques in the tunica bend the erect penis towards the plaque and can cause pain and shortening ## Key facts **Where** Paired dorsal erectile cylinders, each in a tunica albuginea, joined by an incomplete septum; behind they diverge as the crura on the ischiopubic rami, covered by ischiocavernosus **Blood supply** Deep (cavernosal) arteries from the [internal pudendal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-pudendal-artery/), through the helicine arteries; drained by emissary veins to the deep dorsal vein **Nerve** Cavernous nerves (parasympathetic, pelvic splanchnic S2–S4) for erection; sympathetic (T11–L2) for detumescence; [dorsal nerve of penis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-nerve-of-penis/) (pudendal, S2–S4) for sensation **Function** Rigidity of erection: arterial inflow fills the sinusoids, which press the outflow veins against the tunica (veno-occlusion); Peyronie plaques form in the tunica ## Relations **Course** Each crus is fixed to the ischiopubic ramus and [perineal membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-membrane/) under the [ischiocavernosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ischiocavernosus-muscle/); the crura meet below the [pubic symphysis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pubic-symphysis/) and run side by side along the shaft to end under the [glans penis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/glans-of-penis/) **Superficial** Buck fascia, binding both with the [corpus spongiosum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-spongiosum-of-penis/), with the deep dorsal vein, dorsal arteries and dorsal nerves on the dorsum; then dartos and [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) **Below** Corpus spongiosum with the urethra, in the groove on their underside **Medial** The septum of the penis between the two, incomplete in front so that both fill together **Contents** Deep artery of the penis in the centre of each, among the cavernous sinusoids ## How to find it Each corpus is felt as one of the two firm columns that make up the upper sides of the shaft. Followed backward into the perineum it becomes a crus fixed to the side of the pubic arch, under the ischiocavernosus. A Peyronie plaque is felt as a firm, sometimes tender, area in its wall. ## On imaging Penile Doppler ultrasound after a vasoactive injection measures flow in the deep artery of the penis (arterial insufficiency) and end-diastolic flow (venous leak). Ultrasound or MRI shows a tunica tear in fracture and plaques in Peyronie disease. ## Common problems - Erectile dysfunction, often from poor blood flow (linked to diabetes, smoking and heart disease). - Peyronie's disease: a scar in the coat bends the penis. - Priapism: a painful erection lasting more than 4 hours; an emergency. ## How it is diagnosed History and examination; blood tests (glucose, lipids, testosterone); Doppler ultrasound in some cases. ## Treatment - Lifestyle changes and medicines (PDE5 inhibitors); other options if these do not work. - Priapism is drained urgently. ## Clinical notes - Prolonged ischaemic priapism scars the erectile tissue and leads to permanent erectile dysfunction, which is why it is relieved urgently by aspiration - Penile prostheses are cylinders placed in both corpora cavernosa when other treatments for erectile dysfunction fail - Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of vascular disease, appearing before heart disease is known ## Development Forms from mesenchyme of the genital tubercle, which androgens from the fetal [testis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testis/) enlarge into the penis; without them the same tissue becomes the corpora of the [clitoris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clitoris/). ## Related conditions - [Erectile dysfunction](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/) - [Peyronie disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peyronie-disease/) - [Priapism](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/priapism/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What happens in a penile fracture of the corpus cavernosum? The tunica albuginea of an erect corpus cavernosum tears, usually during intercourse: a crack, sudden loss of erection and a swollen, bent penis; the urethra is sometimes injured. ## How do ischaemic and non-ischaemic priapism differ? Ischaemic: painful, rigid, dark acidic blood on aspiration, an emergency. Non-ischaemic: high-flow, often after perineal trauma, usually painless. ## Why do the glans and corpus spongiosum usually stay soft in priapism? Only the corpora cavernosa are engorged. ## What mechanism traps blood in the corpora cavernosa during erection? Veno-occlusion: arterial inflow fills the sinusoids, which press the outflow veins against the tunica albuginea. ## What is Peyronie disease? Fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa that bend the erect penis toward the plaque and can cause pain and shortening. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/corpus-cavernosum-of-penis/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** corpus cavernosum penis **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cuerpo cavernoso del pene **English (TA2)** Corpus cavernosum of penis **Also called** crus of penis (back end) ## Related - [Corpus spongiosum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-spongiosum-of-penis/) - [Ischiocavernosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ischiocavernosus-muscle/) - [Deep artery of penis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-artery-of-penis/) - [Pelvic plexus and cavernous nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-hypogastric-plexus/) Sources: [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Penis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482236/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Surface Markings of the Perineum (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-cavernosum-of-penis/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-cavernosum-of-penis/