Deep artery of the penis

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 3 May 2022

The deep artery of the penis, also known as cavernosal artery, is one of the two terminal branches of the internal pudendal artery.

Gross anatomy

Origin

The internal pudendal artery bifurcates terminally into the deep artery of the penis and the dorsal artery of the penis at the anterior margin of the perineal membrane 1.

Termination

The deep artery of the penis pierces the perineal membrane and enters the crura of the penis. It courses towards the glans penis, often near the center of the corporal bodies

Branches

The deep artery of the penis provides numerous helicine and straight arteries that supply the cavernous tissue.

Supply

It supplies the cavernous tissue of the corpus cavernosum of the penis 1,3

Variant anatomy

  • the deep arteries may be paired or singular
  • the deep penile arteries may arise from the internal pudendal artery as described, accessory pudendal arteries or both
  • a common penile artery, serving as a common origin of the deep penile artery, the dorsal artery and the artery to the bulb, has been described 2

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