Corpus spongiosum (also known as corpus cavernosum urethrae in older texts) is the mass of spongy tissue surrounding the male urethra within the penis. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpus_spongiosum_penis ]
Synonyms: spongiose body of penis
Term information
- SCTID:279712008
- Wikipedia:Corpus_spongiosum_penis
- FMA:19617
- EMAPA:29850
- UMLS:C1522442 (ncithesaurus:Corpus_Spongiosum)
- EMAPA:29856
- NCIT:C32384
The function of the corpus spongiosum in erection is to prevent the urethra from pinching closed, thereby maintaining the urethra as a viable channel for ejaculation. To do this, the corpus spongiosum remains pliable during erection while the corpora cavernosum penis becomes engorged with blood.
Term relations
- periurethral tissue
- reproductive structure
- erectile tissue
- mesoderm-derived structure
- part of some penis
- surrounds some urethra
- capable of part of some penile erection