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Wei L, Zheng L, Jiang H, Jiang T. Differences between the glans and shaft of the penis: a review. Sex Med Rev 2024:qeae019. [PMID: 38600708 DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The penis serves as a vital receptor in men, playing a significant role in sexual intercourse. While there are discernible disparities between the glans penis and the penile shaft, a comprehensive and detailed analysis of these distinctions is currently lacking. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to review the existing literature on the variances between the glans penis and the penile shaft, providing a systematic examination of their anatomical and histological dissimilarities. METHODS Our investigation encompassed a thorough search of the published literature, including original articles, reviews, letters to the editor, and case reports focused on the penis. We conducted a comprehensive review of the anatomical and histological dissimilarities between the glans penis and the penile shaft. RESULTS The following key differences were identified. First, regarding innervation, the glans penis and the penile shaft possess distinct neural pathways. The glans penis exhibits a 3-dimensional structure, while the penile shaft exhibits a 2-dimensional distribution. Notably, the nerves of the penile shaft extend penetrating branches into the corpus cavernosum. Furthermore, there are variations in nerve-specific antibodies between the 2 regions. Second, regarding composition, the glans penis and the penile shaft consist of dissimilar cavernous bodies. The glans penis contains unique epithelial structures and receptors, setting it apart from the penile shaft. Third, regarding the veins, there are disparities in the venous systems of the glans penis and the penile shaft. Fourth, regarding biothesiometry, variances in biothesiometry research have been observed between the 2 regions. CONCLUSION There are differences between the glans and the shaft. To further advance our understanding, future research should delve deeper into the discrepancies between the glans penis and the penile shaft. Additionally, a more specialized subdivision of the glans penis and the penile shaft would facilitate more precise and tailored treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letian Wei
- Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
- Institution of Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
- Institution of Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Andrology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
- Institution of Sexual Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China
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Tunçkol E, Purkart L, Eigen L, Vida I, Brecht M. Fiber counts and architecture of the human dorsal penile nerve. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8862. [PMID: 37258532 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35030-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The human penis transmits behaviorally important sensory information via the dorsal penile nerve, which is required for initiation and maintenance of erection. The human penis differs from the penes of other hominids. The lack of a baculum makes the human penis dependent on erectile tissue, which is under control of neural signals activated by tactile stimulation. Accordingly, the penile sensory innervation is crucial for human sexual behavior. To clarify penile innervation, we analyzed the architecture of the dorsal penile nerve of five male subjects who donated their body. We stained the sensory fibers in the penile dorsal nerve with anti-neurofilament H antibody, and identified myelinated axons with Luxol fast blue staining. Furthermore, we visualized nerve bundles as they travel along the shaft of the penis by performing microfocus computed tomography scans after counterstaining penes with iodine. Our results show that the dorsal penile nerve is organized in 25-45 loosely packed nerve bundles, running mediodorsally in the shaft of the penis. This organization corresponds to that in penes of other mammalian species, but differs from the organization of the other peripheral sensory nerves. Around half of the dorsal penile nerve fibers were myelinated and a human hemipenis contained a total of 8290 ± 2553 (mean ± SD) axons. Thus, the number of sensory axons in the human dorsal penile nerve is higher than in other species described so far. The large fraction of unmyelinated nerve fibers suggests that the conduction speed is not a crucial aspect of penile sensory transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elçin Tunçkol
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 6, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leopold Purkart
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 6, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Eigen
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 6, Berlin, Germany
| | - Imre Vida
- Institute for Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCM, Philippstrasse 12, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 6, Berlin, Germany.
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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García-Caballero L, Gándara M, Cepeda-Emiliani A, Gallego R, Gude F, Suárez-Quintanilla J, Ramos-Barbosa I, Blanco-Carrión J. Histological and histomorphometric study of human palatal mucosa: Implications for connective tissue graft harvesting. J Clin Periodontol 2023; 50:784-795. [PMID: 36872046 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To analyse the histological structure and histomorphometric characteristics of human hard palatal mucosa in order to determine the donor site of choice for connective tissue grafts from a histological point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS Palatal mucosa samples from six cadaver heads were harvested at four sites: incisal, premolar, molar and tuberosity. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were performed, as was histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS In the current study, we found that the density and size of cells were higher in the superficial papillary layer, whereas the thickness of the collagen bundles increased in the reticular layer. Excluding the epithelium, the mean percentage of lamina propria (LP) and submucosa (SM) was 37% and 63%, respectively (p < .001). LP thickness showed similar values in the incisal, premolar and molar regions, and a significantly greater thickness in tuberosity (p < .001). The thickness of SM increased from incisal to premolar and molar, disappearing in the tuberosity (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS As dense connective tissue of LP is the tissue of choice for connective tissue grafts, the best donor site from a histological point of view is tuberosity because it is composed only of a thick LP without the presence of a loose submucosal layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences (Histology Area), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marina Gándara
- Department of Morphological Sciences (Histology Area), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani
- Department of Morphological Sciences (Histology Area), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosalía Gallego
- Department of Morphological Sciences (Histology Area), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Gude
- Epidemiology Unit, University Clinical Hospital and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Suárez-Quintanilla
- Department of Morphological Sciences (Anatomy and Embryology Area), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Isabel Ramos-Barbosa
- Orthodontic Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Blanco-Carrión
- Periodontology Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, and Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Cepeda-Emiliani A, Gándara-Cortés M, Otero-Alén M, García H, Suárez-Quintanilla J, García-Caballero T, Gallego R, García-Caballero L. Immunohistological study of the density and distribution of human penile neural tissue: gradient hypothesis. Int J Impot Res 2022; 35:286-305. [PMID: 35501394 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-022-00561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunohistological patterns of density and distribution of neural tissue in the human penis, including the prepuce, are not fully characterized, and effects of circumcision (partial or total removal of the penile prepuce) on penile sexual sensation are controversial. This study analyzed extra- and intracavernosal innervation patterns on the main penile axes using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human adult and fetal penile tissues, single- and double-staining immunohistochemistry and a variety of neural and non-neural markers, with a special emphasis on the prepuce and potential sexual effects of circumcision. Immunohistochemical profiles of neural structures were determined and the most detailed immunohistological characterizations to date of preputial nerve supply are provided. The penile prepuce has a highly organized, dense, afferent innervation pattern that is manifest early in fetal development. Autonomically, it receives noradrenergic sympathetic and nitrergic parasympathetic innervation. Cholinergic nerves are also present. We observed cutaneous and subcutaneous neural density distribution biases across our specimens towards the ventral prepuce, including a region corresponding in the adult anatomical position (penis erect) to the distal third of the ventral penile aspect. We also describe a concept of innervation gradients across the longitudinal and transverse penile axes. Results are discussed in relation to the specialized literature. An argument is made that neuroanatomic substrates underlying unusual permanent penile sensory disturbances post-circumcision are related to heightened neural levels in the distal third of the ventral penile aspect, which could potentially be compromised by deep incisions during circumcision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Marina Gándara-Cortés
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Department of Pathology, University Clinical Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Otero-Alén
- Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Heidy García
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Colombia, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Juan Suárez-Quintanilla
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Tomás García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Department of Pathology, University Clinical Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosalía Gallego
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Kozacioglu Z, Vatansever HS, Onal T, Kutlu N, Ozel F, Gunlusoy B, Gumus BH. Histologic and physiologic analysis of the relationship between the dorsal nerve of the penis and the corpus cavernosum on a rat model. A complementary pathway on the innervation of penile erection? Neurourol Urodyn 2021; 41:188-194. [PMID: 34750848 DOI: 10.1002/nau.24829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AIM The dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) is the terminal branch of the pudendal nerve which is responsible for the somatic innervation of the penis. This study aims to outline any direct role of the DNP in the hemodynamics of erection histologically and physiologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen Wistar albino rats were sorted into the electrical activity (n = 6), intracavernous pressure (n = 4), and control (n = 5) groups. The dorsal nerve was electrostimulated and the simultaneous changes in intracavernous pressure and smooth muscle activity were recorded. Penile tissues were collected, fixed, and sectioned, the slides were stained with either hematoxylin-eosin for morphological evaluation or using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique to analyze the distributions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS. RESULTS During electrostimulation, there was a simultaneous statistically significant decrease in the electrical activity inside the corpora in electromyography and an increase in intracavernous pressure. eNOS and iNOS immunoreactivities were higher in the study group than in the control group. nNOS immunoreactivity was moderate in both study and control groups. CONCLUSION Some fibers in the dorsal nerve of penis continue into the corpora cavernosa through the tunica albuginea and have an active, direct role in the hemodynamic process of erection, which may be complementary to the main route of innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zafer Kozacioglu
- Urology Clinic, Medical Park Hospital, Izmir Economy University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - H Seda Vatansever
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.,DESAM Institute, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Tuna Onal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Necip Kutlu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Fehmi Ozel
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Bulent Gunlusoy
- Urology Clinic, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir University of Health Sciences, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bilal H Gumus
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
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Lee SH, Koh KS, Song WC. Macro/microscopic distribution of the dorsal nerve of penis in human glans penis. J Anat 2020; 237:849-853. [PMID: 32683709 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the dorsal nerve of penis (DNP) that provides the greatest sensitivity over the glans penis. The glandes of 23 penises of formalin-embalmed cadavers were investigated to confirm the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the DNP within the glans penis by whole-mount Sihler's staining and histological sectioning. Superficial regions of the mid-glans were reconstructed in three dimensions to define the microstructure of terminal branches of the DNP that project towards the skin surface. A mean of 6.7 bundles of the DNP consisting of several nerve fibres converged linearly towards the distal end of the penis, rather than diverging laterally as they travelled. Lateral branches of the DNP extended linearly to the distal end with ramifications, while dorsomedial branches of the DNP gave off nerve fibres to the dorsum of the mid-glans and the corona. The intrastromal ramifications of the DNP were more developed in the distal half of the glans penis than the proximal glans containing the corpus cavernosum. These ramifications gave rise to radial nerve fibres that project towards the skin surface to form a plexiform network of terminal branches in the dermis. Linear projections of the main branches of the DNP throughout the glans and fine networks of terminal branches in the dermis were distinctly visualized in the human penis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Hyo Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki-Seok Koh
- Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wu-Chul Song
- Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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