Nowadays, more and more parents are paying increasing attention to the penile length of their children. At present, the methods of measuring penile length mainly include manual measurement and ultrasonography. The former can be used to measure the flaccid, stretched and erected penile lengths, and its use for measuring the stretched penile length has been internationally accepted for its precise definition, unified description, and high repeatability. The latter, as a new method, is being gradually accepted for its imaging visualization and measurement accuracy. This article reviews different measurements of penile length in the mainstream literature of recent years, with an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVETo investigate the run and distribution of penile deep veins and to evaluate the application of the findings to penile vein ligating operation.

METHODSWe dissected the penises of 28 formalin-preserved male adult cadavers, whose health condition, penile erection condition when alive, exact age and cause of death were unknown, and recorded the number and location of the cavernous and crural veins and their relationship with the surrounding important organs and tissues.

RESULTSThe cavernous veins emerged from the dorsal groove of the fixed segment, ran proximately in the dorsal groove, branched into two and drained into either side of the internal pudendal vein respectively, with the internal pudendal artery-cavernous artery-dorsal artery system running laterally and superficially. All the cavernous veins had communications with the periprostatic venous plexus. In the 56 crura of the 28 specimens, there were 250 crural veins, 76 in 42 sides (75.0%) traveling medial to the internal pudendal artery-cavernous artery-dorsal artery system.

CONCLUSIONThe penile deep venous system is structurally complicated, extensively connected with the surrounding veins and closely related to the surrounding organs, which makes it very difficult to ligate all the deep veins and avoid damage to the cavernous arteries and nerves in vein-involved surgery.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; Veins ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anatomy of penis and its adjacent organ for phalloplasty.

METHODSAnatomic dissection of penis and perineum was performed on 30 adult male cadavers (60 sides). Observation and measurement were focused on the penile length of different parts, the morphological relationship of infundibular ligament and suspensory ligament with penile radix, and the feature of crus penis with relation to the deep penile artery.

RESULTSThe average length of the penile shaft was 8.13 cm, the penile radix was 7.67 cm and the crus penis was 5.96 - 5.98 cm. The deep penile artery penetrated into the crus penis at its middle 1/3. The infundibular ligament attached to superficial fascia of the penis and extended downward to the scrotal septum to constitute the suspensory structure for both of them. The suspensory ligament attached to the dorsal deep fascia of the penis. Becoming thicker, the rear part of the suspensory ligament connected firmly to the pubic arcuate ligament to constitute a part of suspensory mechanism for the urethra. There was a part of cavernous body, which was free from either ligament or bony attachment, between the penile radix and the crus penis, where the dorsal artery and nerve of penis turned around from the ventral to the dorsal aspect of the penis and the penile dorsal vain penetrated the urogenital septum, draining into intrapelvic venous plexus.

CONCLUSIONSThe divisional measurement of the penis length, the recognition of the suspensory ligaments and the anatomic feature of the crus penis with relation to the deep penile artery are all of significant importance to improve the operation of phalloplasty.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; Perineum ; anatomy & histology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult

AIMTo summarize recent advances in human penile anatomy, hemodynamics and their clinical applications.

METHODSUsing dissecting, light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy the fibroskeleton structure, penile venous vasculature, the relationship of the architecture between the skeletal and smooth muscles, and erection hemodynamics were studied on human cadaveric penises and clinical patients over a period of 10 years.

RESULTSThe tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa is a bi-layered structure with inner circular and outer longitudinal collagen bundles. Although there is no bone in the human glans, a strong equivalent distal ligament acts as a trunk of the glans penis. A guaranteed method of local anesthesia for penile surgeries and a tunical surgery was developed accordingly. On the venous vasculature it is elucidated that a deep dorsal vein, a couple of cavernosal veins and two pairs of para-arterial veins are located between the Buck's fascia and the tunica albuginea. Furthermore, a hemodynamic study suggests that a fully rigid erection may depend upon the drainage veins as well, rather than just the intracavernosal smooth muscle. It is believed that penile venous surgery deserves another look, and that it may be meaningful if thoroughly and carefully performed. Accordingly, a penile venous surgery was developed.

CONCLUSIONUsing this new insight into penile anatomy and physiology, exact penile curvature correction, refined penile implants and promising penile venous surgery, as well as a venous patch, for treating Peyronie's deformity might be performed under pure local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

Erectile Dysfunction ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; anatomy & histology ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the anatomical features and measure the width of the coronal sulcus of the penis.

METHODSWe observed the coronal sulcus of the penis in 269 males aged 19 -66 (mean 28) years. Among them, 137 had redundant prepuce, 11 had phimosis, 90 were normal men, and 30 had been circumcised for redundant prepuce and 1 for phimosis. The width of the sulcus was measured with the vernier caliper at the 12 o'clock position, i. e. , the middle point of the dorsal. The results were compared among different groups.

RESULTSThe mucosa of the sulcus was relatively flat, smooth and not so active. Generally, the anterior line of the coronal sulcus was indistinct, whereas the posterior line was clear and easy to be identified. The widths of the coronal sulcus were (4.32 +/- 3.44), (4.06 +/- 2.68) and (4.22 +/- 3.06) mm in the redundant prepuce, phimosis and normal groups, with no statistically significant differences among the three (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEnough attention should be paid to the width of the coronal sulcus of the penis in clinical practice. The posterior line of the coronal sulcus should be chosen as the positioning standard for inner incision in circumcision.

Adult ; Aged ; Circumcision, Male ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of 3-Dimensional (3-D) model reconstruction of penis and surrounding structures based on magnetic resonance images, which may provide the model building method for modeling surgery of individual penoplasty.

METHODSMagnetic resonance (MR) images of penis with different imaging parameters were evaluated. With the surface rendering construction, the 3D virtual model was established by Amira software.

RESULTSThe anatomical details imaging is better in T2-weighted fast spin-echo images with 3.0 mm slice thickness. The established model based on the MR images can show the soft-tissue, suspensory ligament of the penis. The suspensory ligament stretches between the pubic symphysis and the corpora cavernosa. The penile roots attach to inferior ramus of pubis.

CONCLUSIONSMR imaging provides enough anatomical information for modeling. It can be used for the development of model surgery system of individual penoplasty.

Adult ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Penis ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo analyze 3D digitized image of the adult penis, providing morphological data for plastic plerosis of the adult penis diagnosis and the surgery planning.

METHODS200 adult penis were measured at the length and perimeter of the resting state and erection, and the relation among the erectile angle and length, perimeter were analyzed by the Angel Digital Image Studio software.

RESULTSPenis increase with the age and stature growing. But the length increases in not the same ratio with the stature . With the erectile angle increasing, penile hardness is becoming strong, but penile volume do not marked change.

CONCLUSIONSThe digitized model of the penis and adjacent structure offer unique insights into the complex penis anatomy, providing morphological data for preoperative design and postoperative effective evaluation of the penile plastic plerosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDWhile the abnormal appearance of the concealed penis has been well recognized, the effect of buried penis on the structure and function of corpus cavernosum has not been well studied. To explore this issue, we established a rat model and evaluated the effect of buried penis on cavernosum weight, contents and ultrastructure of tissue, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity.

METHODSTwo hundred and ten rats were randomly divided into 3 equal cohorts for 2, 4 and 6 months study (groups A, B and C). Each group was randomly divided into buried group (n = 40), control group (n = 15), and normal group (n = 15), respectively. Intra-purse-string suture of the root of the penis was used to establish the model. Macroscopic development was judged by measuring the weight of the corpus cavernosum. Masson's trichrome staining was performed for observing microstructure while a transmission electron microscope was used for observing ultrastructure. The NOS activity was detected by a NOS activity assay kit.

RESULTSBuried penis had no significant influence on the appearance and weight of the corpus cavernosum. Buried penis resulted in decreased smooth muscle content (P > 0.05 in group A, and P < 0.05 in groups B and C) and increased fibrous connective tissue content (P > 0.05 in groups A and B, and P < 0.05 in group C) compared with the normal and control groups. Ultrastructural abnormalities of corpus cavernosum were observed in the 6-month buried group. Moreover, there was decrease of NOS activity in groups B and C (P < 0.05 in group B and P < 0.01 in group C) when compared with the normal and control groups.

CONCLUSIONBuried penis affects the structure and function of corpus cavernosum in rats and the effect is positively correlated with the buried time, but there is no significant effect on the macroscopic development.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo investigate the flaccid and stretched penile sizes of young Korean men and their complexes or pride about their penile size.

METHODSAfter an explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 123 Korean men in their early 20's visiting the Jinhae Military General Hospital were included in the study. The flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumference, stretched length and pre-pubic bone fat pad depth were measured in a warm comfortable environment. The accuracy the subjects assessed their penile size was investigated by asking them to rate their penile size, as 'very small', 'small', 'normal', 'large'or 'very large', All subjects were asked to complete the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) test.

RESULTSThe mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, stretched length and fat pad depth of the 123 subjects were (6.9+/-0.8) cm, (8.5+/-1.1) cm, (9.6 +/-0.8) cm and (1.1 +/-0.4) cm, respectively. The answer distribution on penile size was 1 (0.8 %) 'very small', 29 (23.6 %) 'small', 86 (69.9 %) 'normal', 6 (4.9 %) 'large' and 1 (0.8%) 'very large'. Subjects who underestimated their penile size showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D) and psychasthenia (Pt) subscales of the MMPI than those in the Unbiased Group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn consultation, with a patient requesting penile augmentation, the urologist should consider the psychologic attitude of the patient to his penile size.

Adult ; Attitude ; Humans ; Korea ; MMPI ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; Self Concept

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dietetic hyperlipidemia on the development of testes and penises in male New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSThe animal model of dietetic hyperlipidemia was established by feeding 36 male New Zealand rabbits which were divided into the test group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 16) at random with rich fat. The concentration of TC, TG, HDL-C as well as LDL-C was determined by using automatic biochemistry analyzer. Radioimmunoassay methods were used to measure the level of T, LH and FSH as well. Alterations of testicular and penial development in morphology were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, concentrations of TC, TG and LDL-C increased dramatically as well as the levels of T, LH and FSH decreased obviously. There are significant differences between the two groups (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, the penial length was short (P < 0.05) and testicular coefficient declined (P < 0.01) in the test group. With light microscope, the following phenomenon was manifestly detected: the sabotage of spermatogenic epithelium and the adipocyte sedimentation of the penial tissue.

CONCLUSIONIt is obvious that intaking a large quantity of food with rich fat from juvenile would induce dietetic hyperlipidemia, result in the functional disorder of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, and leads to short penis in development and the damage of spermatogenesis function as well.

Animal Feed ; Animals ; Diet ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperlipidemias ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; pathology