Penis Anatomy

The penis is the male sex organ, reaching its full size during puberty. In addition to its sexual function, the penis acts as a conduit for urine to leave the body.
The Penis (Human Anatomy) Diagram, Function, Conditions, Penis Anatomy, Anatomy of the Male Penis,

The human penis is anatomically divided into two continuous areas—the body, or external portion, and the root. The root of the penis begins directly below the bulbourethral glands with a long cylindrical body of tissue known as the corpus spongiosum (or corpus cavernosum urethrae). This tissue extends through the body of the penis to the tip, where it expands into a mushroom-shaped structure called the glans penis. Running through the centre of the corpus spongiosum is the urethra, a common passage for semen and urine; the urethra ends in a slitlike opening at the tip of the glans penis. Beginning alongside of the bulbourethral glands are a pair of long cylindrical bodies called the corpora cavernosa penis. These continue through the body of the penis, occupying the sides and upper portion directly above the corpus spongiosum; they terminate immediately before the glans penis.

The corpora cavernosa consist of empty spaces divided by partitions of tissue. The tissue consists of muscle, collagen (a fibrous protein), and elastic fibre. The corpora cavernosa are termed erectile tissue, because during sexual excitation, their fibrous tissue is expanded by blood that flows into and fills their empty spaces. The blood is temporarily trapped in the penis by the constriction of blood vessels that would normally allow it to flow out. The penis becomes enlarged, hardened, and erect as a result of this increased blood pressure. The corpus spongiosum is also considered erectile tissue. This area, however, does not become as enlarged as the other two during erection, for it contains more fibrous tissue and less space; unlike the corpora cavernosa, the corpus spongiosum has a constant blood flow during erection.

The penis is made of several parts:

  • Glans (head) of the penis: In uncircumcised men, the glans is covered with pink, moist tissue called mucosa. Covering the glans is the foreskin (prepuce). In circumcised men, the foreskin is surgically removed and the mucosa on the glans transforms into dry skin.
  • Corpus cavernosum: Two columns of tissue running along the sides of the penis. Blood fills this tissue to cause an erection.
  • Corpus spongiosum: A column of sponge-like tissue running along the front of the penis and ending at the glans penis; it fills with blood during an erection, keeping the urethra — which runs through it — open.
    The urethra runs through the corpus spongiosum, conducting urine out of the body.
  • An erection results from changes in blood flow in the penis. When a man becomes sexually aroused, nerves cause penis blood vessels to expand. More blood flows in and less flows out of the penis, hardening the tissue in the corpus cavernosum.

Penis Disease & Conditions:

  • There are many conditions or disease that affects the penis. The penis is the male external sexual and urinary organ. Examples of penis conditions include Chlamydia, genital warts, impotence and Gonorrhea etc.
  • Erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also known as Impotence. ED is the inability to have and maintain an erection sufficiently firm for satisfactory sexual performance. Atherosclerosis (damage to the arteries) is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction.
  • Priapism: Priapism is an erection that lasts for more than three hours and is usually very painful. Blood becomes trapped in the penis and does not return to circulation; it is not necessarily because or, and related to, sexual stimulation. If Priapism is not treated, it can lead to permanent damage to the erectile tissue and the inability to get an erection at all. Priapism can happen to males at any age.
  • Hypospadias: Hypospadias is a birth (congenital) disorder of the penis. Instead of having a urethral opening at the end of the penis, boys born with Hypospadias have an opening on the underside of the shaft of their penis. If this causes a problem with urination.
  • Phimosis (paraphimosis): Paraphimosis happens when the foreskin has been retracted behind the head of the Penis and cannot be returned to its normal (original) position. Is the foreskin stays in this position, it can cause pain, swelling and can stop the blood flow to the penis. This is serious medical problem, and must be treated immediately or the penis can sustain long-term and permanent damage.
  • Balanitis: Balanitis is a very common inflammation of the glans penis (helmet of the penis) that can affects males at any age. This inflammation can affect circumcised males; however it is more common in men who have not been circumcised. Pain, tenderness, and redness of the penis head are symptoms.
  • Balanoposthitis: Balanitis that also involves the foreskin (in an uncircumcised man).
  • Peyronie’s Disease: Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which a plaque, or hard lump, forms on the penis. The plaque may develop on the upper (more common) or lower side of the penis, in the layers that contain erectile tissue. The plaque often begins as a localized area of irritation and swelling (inflammation), and can develop into a hardened scar. The scarring reduces the elasticity of the penis in the area affected.
  • Urethritis: Inflammation or infection of the urethra, often causing pain with urination and penis discharge. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are common causes.
  • Gonorrhea: The bacteria N. gonorrhea infects the penis during sex, causing urethritis. Most cases of gonorrhea in men cause symptoms of penis pain or discharge.
  • Chlamydia: A bacteria that can infect the penis through sex, causing urethritis. Up to 40% of chlamydia cases in men cause no symptoms.
  • Syphilis: A bacteria transmitted during sex. The initial symptom of syphilis is usually a painless ulcer (chancre) on the penis.
  • Herpes: The viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause small blisters and ulcers on the penis that reoccur over time.
  • Micropenis: An abnormally small penis, present from birth. A hormone imbalance is involved in many cases of micropenis.
  • Penis warts: The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause warts on the penis. HPV warts are highly contagious and spread during sexual contact.
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