Cavernospongious shunts: anatomical study of intrapenile vascular pathways

The reality of cavernospongious shunts has never been confirmed and their role in penile erection remains undetermined. We aim to describe the intrapenile vascular anatomy as the precise nature of the connections between the corpus spongiosum, the glans and the corpora cavernosa remains unknown.

Ten human penises were removed from adult male cadavers 8 days after arterial casting with latex. In four specimens coloured latex was injected into the corpus spongiosum. Ex situ microdissection was performed to analyse the origin and distribution of the penile arteries. The anastomotic arterial pathways were dissected.

In all the specimens, 6-10 anastomoses were found between the cavernous arteries (a. profundae penis) and the spongious arterial network. These arteries arose at regular intervals from the cavernous arteries and perforated the tunica albuginea vertically to anastomose with urethral arteries (a. urethralis). No arteriovenous shunts were found between the corpus spongiosum and the corpora cavernosa, nor was there any venous drainage from the corpus spongiosum entering the corpora cavernosa.

These shunts are arteries connecting the urethral and cavernous arteries. Cavernospongious arterial anastomoses were found in all the cadavers dissected. Further studies are needed to determine their role in penile erection.