Penile artery: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:33, 13 February 2025

Penile Artery[edit]

Diagram of the penile artery and surrounding structures.

The penile artery is a vital component of the male reproductive system, responsible for supplying blood to the penis. It plays a crucial role in the physiological process of erection, which is essential for sexual intercourse.

Anatomy[edit]

The penile artery is a branch of the internal pudendal artery, which itself is a branch of the internal iliac artery. The internal pudendal artery travels through the pelvic region and gives rise to the penile artery as it approaches the base of the penis.

The penile artery further divides into several branches:

The dorsal artery of the penis, which runs along the top of the penis and supplies the glans penis and the corpora cavernosa.
The deep artery of the penis, which travels through the center of the corpora cavernosa and is primarily responsible for engorging these structures with blood during an erection.
The bulbourethral artery, which supplies the bulb of the penis and the urethra.

Physiology[edit]

The penile artery is integral to the process of erection. During sexual arousal, parasympathetic nerve signals cause the smooth muscle in the walls of the penile artery to relax, leading to vasodilation. This increased blood flow fills the corpora cavernosa, causing the penis to become rigid and erect.

The venous drainage of the penis, primarily through the deep dorsal vein of the penis, is restricted during an erection, maintaining the engorgement of the corpora cavernosa.

Clinical Significance[edit]

The health of the penile artery is crucial for erectile function. Conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension can impair blood flow through the penile artery, leading to erectile dysfunction.

Penile Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic tool used to assess blood flow in the penile artery and can help diagnose vascular causes of erectile dysfunction.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Penile artery''' is a branch of the [[internal pudendal artery]] that supplies blood to the [[penis]]. The penile artery is responsible for the blood flow to the penis during an [[erection]].
+== Penile Artery ==
-==Etymology==
+[[File:Penvein.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the penile artery and surrounding structures.]]
-The term "penile artery" is derived from the Latin word "penis," which means "tail," and the Greek word "arteria," which means "windpipe, artery." The term "artery" was used in ancient times to describe any tube that was firm and air-filled, but later it was used to describe the vessels that carry blood from the heart.
-==Anatomy==
+The '''penile artery''' is a vital component of the [[male reproductive system]], responsible for supplying blood to the [[penis]]. It plays a crucial role in the physiological process of [[erection]], which is essential for [[sexual intercourse]].
-The penile artery is a branch of the internal pudendal artery, which is a branch of the [[internal iliac artery]]. The penile artery divides into three branches: the [[bulbourethral artery]], the [[dorsal artery of the penis]], and the [[deep artery of the penis]].
-The bulbourethral artery supplies blood to the [[bulb of the penis]] and the [[corpus spongiosum]]. The dorsal artery of the penis supplies blood to the skin and fascia of the penis. The deep artery of the penis supplies blood to the [[corpus cavernosum]], which is responsible for an erection.
+=== Anatomy ===
-==Clinical significance==
+The penile artery is a branch of the [[internal pudendal artery]], which itself is a branch of the [[internal iliac artery]]. The internal pudendal artery travels through the [[pelvic region]] and gives rise to the penile artery as it approaches the base of the penis.
-The penile artery plays a crucial role in male sexual function. Any damage or blockage to the penile artery can lead to [[erectile dysfunction]]. Conditions such as [[atherosclerosis]] can cause a blockage in the penile artery, leading to erectile dysfunction.
-==Related terms==
+The penile artery further divides into several branches:
+* The [[dorsal artery of the penis]], which runs along the top of the penis and supplies the [[glans penis]] and the [[corpora cavernosa]].
+* The [[deep artery of the penis]], which travels through the center of the corpora cavernosa and is primarily responsible for engorging these structures with blood during an erection.
+* The [[bulbourethral artery]], which supplies the [[bulb of the penis]] and the [[urethra]].
+=== Physiology ===
+The penile artery is integral to the process of [[erection]]. During sexual arousal, [[parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic nerve]] signals cause the smooth muscle in the walls of the penile artery to relax, leading to vasodilation. This increased blood flow fills the [[corpora cavernosa]], causing the penis to become rigid and erect.
+The [[venous drainage]] of the penis, primarily through the [[deep dorsal vein of the penis]], is restricted during an erection, maintaining the engorgement of the corpora cavernosa.
+=== Clinical Significance ===
+The health of the penile artery is crucial for [[erectile function]]. Conditions such as [[atherosclerosis]], [[diabetes mellitus]], and [[hypertension]] can impair blood flow through the penile artery, leading to [[erectile dysfunction]].
+[[Penile Doppler ultrasound]] is a diagnostic tool used to assess blood flow in the penile artery and can help diagnose vascular causes of erectile dysfunction.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Erectile dysfunction]]
 * [[Internal pudendal artery]]
-* [[Internal iliac artery]]
+* [[Corpora cavernosa]]
-* [[Bulbourethral artery]]
+* [[Male reproductive system]]
-* [[Dorsal artery of the penis]]
-* [[Deep artery of the penis]]
-* [[Erection]]
-* [[Erectile dysfunction]]
-* [[Atherosclerosis]]
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
+[[Category:Anatomy of the male reproductive system]]
-[[Category:Medical terminology]]
-[[Category:Sexual health]]
-{{stub}}