The suspensory ligament of the penis: an anatomic and radiologic description

The suspensory system of the penis acquires clinical importance in reparati ve surgery, traumatology and through its role in erection. The aim of this study was to identify the different anatomic structures constituting the su spensory ligament by dissection and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Te n unembalmed male subjects were used for dissection of the region of the ba se of the penis. Ten volunteer patients underwent MRI of the penis before a nd after the injection of prostaglandin (PGE1). The suspensory apparatus co nsisted of separate ligamentous structures: the fundiform ligament, which i s lateral, superficial and not adherent to the tunica albuginea of the corp ora cavernosa; the suspensory ligament properly so-called, further back, st retching between the pubis and the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernos a and consisting of two lateral, circumferential, and one median bundles, w hich circumscribed the dorsal vein of the penis. These structures were iden tifiable in MRI and their supporting role was evidenced during tests of ere ction. The suspensory Ligament seemed to maintain the base of the penis in front of the pubis and to behave as a major point of support for the mobile portion of the penis during erection.