What is it about?
This paper challenges and updates centuries of traditional medical knowledge about the structure of the human penis. Using detailed dissection and imaging, the authors reveal three major anatomical discoveries that differ from standard textbooks:The "Double Coat": The outer casing of the erectile chambers (tunica albuginea) is not a single layer of uniform thickness. It is actually a bi-layered structure consisting of a complete (360 Degree) inner circular layer and an incomplete (300 Degree ) outer longitudinal layer.The "Hidden Bone": Although humans lack a penis bone (os penis), this study identifies a "distal ligament" inside the glans. This rigid fibrous structure acts as a central trunk, supporting the glans during intercourse.The Complex Venous System: Instead of just one deep dorsal vein, the study shows a complex network of seven erection-related veins (including independent cavernosal veins and para-arterial veins) that drain blood.
Featured Image
Photo by Europeana on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Understanding the true anatomy is critical for treating erectile dysfunction and performing penile surgery. Better Surgery for Curvature: Recognizing that the tunica has two layers allows surgeons to correct penile curvature (Peyronie's disease) by adjusting the outer layer while keeping the inner layer intact to protect the erectile tissue. Treating Erectile Dysfunction: The discovery of multiple independent drainage veins (rather than just one) explains why some men suffer from venous leakage (ED) and provides a roadmap for more effective venous stripping surgeries to restore erections. Protecting Implants: The outer layer of the tunica acts as a "seatbelt" that protects penile implants from extruding (poking out).
Perspectives
"For centuries, we believed the penis had a simple single-layer casing and a single drainage vein. Our research proves this is a myth. We have identified a sophisticated bi-layered structure and a complex 7-vein highway system. This is the 'missing link' in cardiovascular anatomy—proving that the penis is not just a sponge, but a highly engineered hydraulic organ with its own internal 'skeleton' (the distal ligament) that ensures rigidity and function."
Professor Geng-Long Hsu
Microsurgical Potency Reconstruction and Research Center, Hsu’s Andrology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Penis Structure, January 2026, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-443-21477-6.00463-6.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
