Tunica albuginea (penis)

Anatomical structure of the penis

For other structures with the same name, see Tunica albuginea (disambiguation).

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

[edit on Wikidata]

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]

## Structure[edit]

### Microstructure[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

* Medical ultrasonography of a normal penis

## References[edit]

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1250 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. ^ "Penis Anatomy: Gross Anatomy, Vasculature, Lymphatics and Nerve Supply". 2019-07-01. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
2. ^ "Male Genital Anatomy » Sexual Medicine » BUMC".

## External links[edit]

* Anatomy photo:42:07-0103 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Male Perineum and the Penis: The Corpus Spongiosum and Corpora Cavernosa"
* Image at downstate.edu
* Image at downstate.edu
* Histology image: 17703loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
* Encyclopedia of Reproduction

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Male reproductive system

Internal|

| Seminal tract|

| Testicles|

* Layers
* Tunica vaginalis
* Tunica albuginea
* Tunica vasculosa
* Appendix
* Mediastinum
* Lobules
* Septa
* Leydig cells
* Sertoli cells
* Blood–testis barrier

|

Spermatogenesis|

* Spermatogonium
* Spermatocytogenesis
* Spermatocyte
* Spermatidogenesis
* Spermatid
* Spermiogenesis
* Spermatozoon

Other|

* Seminiferous tubules
* Tubuli seminiferi recti
* Retia testes
* Efferent ducts
* Epididymides
* Appendix
* Inferior ligaments
* Superior ligaments
* Stereocilia
* Paradidymides
* Spermatic cords
* Pampiniform plexus
* Vasa deferentia
* Ampullae
* Rectovesical pouch
* Ejaculatory ducts
* Testicular arteries
* Testicular veins

Accessory glands|

* Seminal vesicles
* Excretory duct
* Prostate
* Urethral crest
* Seminal colliculus
* Ejaculatory ducts
* Sinus
* Ducts
* Utricle
* Bulbourethral glands

External|

| Penis|

* Root
* Crura
* Bulb
* Fundiform ligament
* Suspensory ligament
* Body
* Corpora cavernosa
* Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa
* Corpus spongiosum
* Trabeculae of corpus spongiosum
* Glans
* Foreskin
* Frenulum
* Corona
* Septum glandis
* Fascia
* Superficial
* Deep
* Tunica albuginea
* Septum
* Raphe
* Arteries
* Arteries of bulb
* Dorsal arteries
* Deep arteries
* Internal pudendal artery
* Veins
* Dorsal veins
* Vein of bulb
* Internal pudendal veins
* Nerves
* Dorsal nerves
* Pudendal nerves
* Urethra
* Internal urethral sphincter
* Internal urethral orifice
* Pre-prostatic
* Prostatic
* Intermediate
* Spongy
* External sphincter muscle
* Navicular fossa
* Lacuna magna
* External urethral orifice
* Lacunae of Morgagni
* Urethral glands

|

Scrotum|

* Layers
* Skin
* Dartos fascia
* External spermatic fascia
* Cremaster
* Cremasteric fascia
* Internal spermatic fascia
* Ligament
* Raphe
* Septum
* Arteries
* Anterior scrotal arteries
* Posterior scrotal arteries
* Nerves
* Anterior scrotal nerves
* Posterior scrotal nerves
* Perineal nerve
* Posterior scrotal veins

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