Penile artery

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.

Etymology

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 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.

Clinical significance

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

• Internal pudendal artery
• Internal iliac artery
• Bulbourethral artery
• Dorsal artery of the penis
• Deep artery of the penis
• Erection
• Erectile dysfunction
• Atherosclerosis

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