Surgical Anatomy of the Penis

The bulk of the penis is made up of three erectile bodies: two corpora cavernosa and the single corpus spongiosum (Fig. 39.1). The dorsally located corpora cavernosa contain erectile tissue within a compliant sheath of connective tissue, the tunica albuginea. Within the shaft of the penis, there is free communication between the corpora cavernosa through an incomplete midline septum. This septum is composed of multiple strands of connective tissue, similar to that of the tunica albuginea. The septum becomes more complete at the tip of the penis and toward the penile hilum, where the corpora cavernosa become independent and form separate crura.