Dorsal artery of the penis
The dorsal artery of the penis is an artery on the top surface of the penis. It is a branch of the internal pudendal artery. It runs forward on the dorsum of the penis to the glans, where it divides into two branches to the glans penis and the foreskin (prepuce).
| Dorsal artery of the penis | |
|---|---|
Transverse section of the penis. (Dorsal artery visible at top.) | |
The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery. (Dorsal artery of penis labeled at upper right.) | |
| Details | |
| Source | internal pudendal artery |
| Vein | deep dorsal vein of the penis |
| Supplies | penis |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria dorsalis penis |
| TA98 | A12.2.15.044M |
| TA2 | 4354 |
| FMA | 19795 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The dorsal artery of the penis supplies the integument and fibrous sheath of the corpus cavernosum penis, the glans penis, the foreskin, and the skin of the distal shaft. It also branches with circumflex arteries that supply the corpus spongiosum. Its role in erectile function is unknown.
The dorsal artery of the penis may be damaged in traumatic amputation of the penis and repairing the dorsal artery surgically prevents skin loss, but it is not essential for sexual and urinary function. Its hemodynamics and blood pressure can be assessed to test for sexual impairment.