THE DISTRIBUTION OF ELASTIC FIBROUS ELEMENTS WITHIN THE HUMAN PENIS

Objective To determine the distribution of elastic fibres in the tunic a albuginea and the erectile tissue of the penis. Materials and method s Samples of tunica albuginea or penile erectile tissue were taken fro m seven cadavers and five patients undergoing surgery. Light and elect ron microscopy were performed. Results There were two anatomical regio ns in which elastic fibres were seen rarely: the proximal crus and the distal tunica. In the rest of the corpora cavernosa where the tunica was more compliant, the elastic fibres were in relative abundance. In the corpus spongiosum, abundant irregularly oriented elastic fibres we re present; the densest elastic network was found in the glans penis a nd was composed of coarse elastic fibres. A perisinusoidal fibroelasti c shell was seen in the glans, which was probably an extension of Buck 's fascia. The elastic components within the sinusoids (cavernosal, sp ongiosal, and glanular) were similar but finer than the elastic lamell ae in the penile arterial wall. Conclusion The elastic fibres were une venly distributed, often forming an irregular network on which the col lagen component rested. Elastic fibres were more abundant in the corpu s spongiosum, around the blood vessels and surrounding the sinusoid of the corpus cavernosum