NEUROANATOMY OF THE PENILE PORTION OF THE HUMAN DORSAL NERVE OF THE PENIS

Objective To determine the distribution of the dorsal nerve of the pen is (DNP), the principal somatosensory nerve innervating the phallus, a long the penile shaft and within the glans penis, Materials and method s The DNP was dissected in human autopsy specimens, using low magnific ation, following the course of the nerve from the symphysis pubis into the glans penis. Results The shaft and glans were innervated by separ ate populations of axons. The lateral and ventral portions of the peni le shaft were innervated by branches arcading from the dorsal midline radiating toward the ventral surface. These branches were very variabl e and some were seen to penetrate the corpus spongiosum. The axons inn ervating the glans were constant in a dorsal, midline location along m ost of the penile shaft, and once within the glans, there was abundant branching. Undulations in the nerves were noted along the penile shaf t. Conclusions The lateral arcading branches of the DNP provide a sens ory pathway on the ventral and lateral penile shaft, and the terminati on of the fibres at the corpus spongiosum is consistent with pudendal innervation of the penile urethra. The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure. These findings may aid in planning penile surgical procedures.