Organ
Spongy (penile) urethra
The long urethral segment inside corpus spongiosum
High-yield
The corpus spongiosum remains less rigidly pressurized than the corpora cavernosa during erection, helping keep the urethral passage open.
Overview
The spongy urethra runs through the penile bulb and shaft before widening in the glans as the navicular fossa. Erectile tissue surrounds its wall, while the distal meatus is usually a relatively narrow outlet. Bulbourethral secretions enter its proximal portion.
Reference facts
- Location
- Within the ventral erectile body, from the bulb below the perineal membrane to the glans meatus; length varies with penile dimensions.
- Parts
- Bulbar and penile regions with a distal navicular expansion before the external meatus.
- Blood supply
- Bulbar and urethral branches of the internal pudendal artery, with communicating penile arterial contributions.
- Innervation
- Pudendal sensory branches and pelvic autonomic pathways serve the urethral and surrounding erectile tissues.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Venous flow reaches penile and internal pudendal channels. Anterior urethral lymph uses superficial/deep inguinal routes and onward pelvic pathways.
- Relations
- Enclosed in corpus spongiosum and its coverings; bulbospongiosus overlies the proximal bulb.
- Function
- Conducts urine and semen outward; surrounding bulbospongiosus activity assists expulsion of residual fluid.
Clinical correlation
Straddle trauma can injure the bulbar urethra. If surrounding fascial layers are disrupted, extravasated blood or urine may spread into superficial perineal, scrotal and abdominal-wall planes. Fibrotic strictures may follow trauma, inflammation or instrumentation.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the spongy (penile) urethra located?
Within the ventral erectile body, from the bulb below the perineal membrane to the glans meatus; length varies with penile dimensions.
What does the spongy (penile) urethra do?
Conducts urine and semen outward; surrounding bulbospongiosus activity assists expulsion of residual fluid.
What are the parts of the spongy (penile) urethra?
The parts of the spongy (penile) urethra are the bulbar and penile regions with a distal navicular expansion before the external meatus.
What is the blood supply of the spongy (penile) urethra?
The spongy (penile) urethra is supplied by the bulbar and urethral branches of the internal pudendal artery, with communicating penile arterial contributions.