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corpus spongiosum

(KOR-pus SPUN-jee-OH-sum)
A column of spongy tissue that runs through the shaft (body) and glans (head) of the penis. The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine and sperm pass from the body). It contains blood vessels that fill with blood to help make an erection and keep the urethra open during the erection.
Anatomy of the penis; drawing shows the base, shaft, glans, foreskin, and urethral opening. Also shown are the scrotum, prostate, pubic bone, and lymph nodes. An inset shows a cross section of the inside of the penis, including the blood vessels, dorsal nerve, connective tissue, erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum), and urethra.Enlarge this image in new window
Anatomy of the penis. The parts of the penis are the base, shaft, glans, and foreskin. The tissues that make up the penis include the dorsal nerve, blood vessels, connective tissue, and erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum). The urethra passes from the bladder to the tip of the penis.
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