Corpus cavernosum penis - wikipedia Corpus cavernosum penis This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( September 2009 ) Corpus cavernosum penis Transverse section of the penis. The constituent cavernous cylinders of the penis. Details Identifiers Latin corpus cavernosum penis Dorlands / Elsevier 12260417 TA A09. 4.01. 014 FMA 19618 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) A corpus cavernosum penis ( singular ) ( cavernous body of the penis ) is one of a pair of sponge - like regions of erectile tissue, the corpora cavernosa ( plural ) ( cavernous bodies ), which contain most of the blood in the penis during an erection. Such a corpus is homologous to the corpus cavernosum clitoridis in the female ; the body of the clitoris contains erectile tissue in a pair of corpora cavernosa ( literally `` cave - like bodies '' ) with a recognisably similar structure. Contents 1 Anatomy 2 Physiology 3 Additional images 4 References 5 External links Anatomy The two corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum ( also known as the corpus cavernosum urethrae in older texts and in the adjacent diagram ) are three expandable erectile tissues along the length of the penis, which fill with blood during penile erection. The two corpora cavernosa lie along the penis shaft, from the pubic bones to the head of the penis, where they join. These formations are made of a sponge - like tissue containing trabeculae, irregular blood - filled spaces lined by endothelium and separated by connective tissue septa. The male anatomy has no vestibular bulbs, but instead a corpus spongiosum, a smaller region along the bottom of the penis, which contains the urethra and forms the glans penis. Physiology In some circumstances, release of nitric oxide precedes relaxation of muscles in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, in a process similar to female arousal. The spongy tissue fills with blood, from arteries down the length of the penis. A little blood enters the corpus spongiosum ; the remainder engorges the corpora cavernosa, which expand to hold 90 % of the blood involved in an erection, increasing both in length and in diameter. The function of the corpus spongiosum is to prevent compression of the urethra during erection. Blood can leave the erectile tissue only through a drainage system of veins around the outside wall of the corpus cavernosum. The expanding spongy tissue presses against a surrounding dense tissue ( tunica albuginea ) constricting these veins, preventing blood from leaving. The penis becomes rigid as a result. The glans penis, the expanded cap of the corpus spongiosum, remains more malleable during erection because its tunica albuginea is much thinner than elsewhere in the penis. Additional images Structure of the penis The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery. The penis in transverse section, showing the bloodvessels. Male pelvic organs seen from right side. Diagram of the arteries of the penis. Cross section of penis. References Jump up ^ `` Embarrassing erections ''. 2007 - 01 - 17. Archived from the original on 2007 - 01 - 02. Retrieved 2007 - 01 - 17. Jump up ^ `` Understanding a man 's erection ''. whitelotuseast. External links Anatomy photo : 42 : st - 1102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - `` The Male Perineum and the Penis : Penis '' Male reproductive system Internal Seminal tract Testes layers Tunica vaginalis Tunica albuginea Tunica vasculosa Appendix Mediastinum Lobules Septa Leydig cell Sertoli cell Blood -- testis barrier Spermatogenesis Spermatogonium Spermatocytogenesis Spermatocyte Spermatidogenesis Spermatid Spermiogenesis Spermatozoon Other Seminiferous tubules Tubuli seminiferi recti Rete testis Efferent ducts Epididymis Appendix Stereocilia Paradidymis Spermatic cord Vas deferens Ampulla Ejaculatory duct Accessory glands Seminal vesicles excretory duct Prostate Urethral crest Seminal colliculus Prostatic utricle Ejaculatory duct Prostatic sinus Prostatic ducts Bulbourethral glands External Penis root Crus Bulb Fundiform ligament Suspensory ligament body Corpus cavernosum Corpus spongiosum glans Foreskin Frenulum Corona fascia superficial deep Tunica albuginea Septum of the penis Urinary tract Internal urethral orifice Urethra Prostatic Intermediate Spongy Navicular fossa External urethral orifice Lacunae of Morgagni Urethral gland Scrotum layers skin Dartos External spermatic fascia Cremaster Cremasteric fascia Internal spermatic fascia Perineal raphe Scrotal septum Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Corpus_cavernosum_penis&oldid=795297063 '' Categories : Mammal male reproductive system Penis Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from September 2009 All articles needing additional references Medicine infobox template using GraySubject or GrayPage Medicine infobox template using Dorlands parameter Talk Contents About Wikipedia Беларуская Български Brezhoneg Català Čeština Español Français Ido Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Қазақша Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Simple English Српски / srpski Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 13 August 2017, at 09 : 20. 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Question: the location of the corpora cavernosa is the
Answer: (cavernous body of the penis) is one of a pair of sponge-like regions of erectile tissue