Artery to the bulb

Last revised by Edward Zhou on 22 Sep 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Zhou E, Hacking C, Artery to the bulb. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-93430

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-93430

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/93430

rID:

93430

Article created:

22 Sep 2021, Edward Zhou

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Edward Zhou had no recorded disclosures.

View Edward Zhou's current disclosures

Last revised:

22 Sep 2021, Edward Zhou

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Edward Zhou had no recorded disclosures.

View Edward Zhou's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Vascular, Urogenital

Sections:

Anatomy

Synonyms:

bulbar artery
urethrobulbal artery

The artery to the bulb of the penis (male) or vestibule (female) is a branch of the internal pudendal artery. It differs slightly in males and females.

Artery to the bulb of the penis

Origin: internal pudendal artery, distal to the perineal artery¹.
- a common penile artery, serving as the origin of this artery (and the dorsal and deep arteries of the penis), has been described².
Course: travels alongside the urethra and together these pierce the perineal membrane to enter the corpus spongiosum at its posterolateral border (into the bulb). It supplies cavernous tissue of the corpus spongiosum as it courses towards the glans penis.
Anastomosis: the terminal branches of the artery form an anastomosis with the dorsal artery of the penis at the level of the glans penis
Supply
- membranous urethra and some contribution to the penile urethra
- corpus spongiosum and the bulb of the penis
- bulbourethral glands (of Cowper)
- glans penis (via anastomosis with the dorsal artery of the penis)^1,3

Artery to the bulb of the vestibule

Its origin is similar to that of its male homologue. From the internal pudendal artery, it courses towards the vestibule and supplies the bulb of the vestibule and the greater vestibular glands (of Bartholin)^1,3,4.