These erectile tissues are composed of venous spaces lined with epithelial cells separated by connective tissue and smooth muscle cells. Most of the penile urethra is lined with pseudostratified epithelium, but in the glans it becomes stratified squamous epithelium. Glands secrete mucous into the urethral lumen all along the length of the penile urethra. The glans is highly innervated with sensory neurons, that are stimulated by contact and friction during sexual relations. The arterial supply to the penis originates at the internal pudendal arteries.
Nutritive arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to the vascular tissues and trabeculae.
Circumcision removes a portion of the skin at the terminus of the penis surrounding the glans. This porcedure dates back thousands of years into ancient Hebrew culture, in which flint knives were used. This hemodynamic event is controlled by neural input. Erection occurs when vasodilator impulses are delivered by the parasympathetic nervous system, which also causes the relaxation of the penile smooth muscle. Dilation of the arterioles of the penis causes the erectile tissue of the penis to fill with blood.