Tunica albuginea (penis)
Anatomical structure of the penis From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The tunica albuginea is the fibrous envelope that extends the length of the corpus cavernosum penis and corpus spongiosum penis. It is a bi-layered structure that includes an outer longitudinal layer and an inner circular layer.[1]
| Tunica albuginea (penis) | |
|---|---|
 The penis in transverse section with tunica albuginea shown | |
 Transverse section of the penis | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | tunica albuginea corporum cavernosorum, tunica albuginea corporis spongiosi |
| TA98 | A09.4.01.017 A09.4.01.018 |
| TA2 | 3593 |
| FMA | 19630 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
Microstructure
The trabeculae of the tunica albuginea are more delicate, nearly uniform in size, and the meshes between them smaller than in the corpora cavernosa penis: their long diameters, for the most part, corresponding with that of the penis.[citation needed]
The external envelope or outer coat of the corpus spongiosum is formed partly of unstriped muscular fibers, and a layer of the same tissue immediately surrounds the canal of the urethra.[citation needed]
It consists of approximately 5% elastin, with the remainder mostly consisting of collagen.[2]
Function
The tunica albuginea is directly involved in maintaining an erection; that is due to Buck's fascia constricting the erection veins of the penis, preventing blood from leaving and thus sustaining the erect state.[clarification needed][citation needed]
Additional images
Medical ultrasonography of a normal penis
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.