Ischiocavernosus muscle
Sheet of fibrous tissue between the thigh and the front of the perineum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The ischiocavernosus muscle (erectores penis or erector clitoridis in older texts) is a muscle just below the surface of the perineum, present in both men and women.[1]
| Ischiocavernosus muscle | |
|---|---|
Muscles of male perineum (ischiocavernosus visible at upper left) | |
 Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion | Crus of penis (male) or crus of clitoris (female) |
| Artery | Perineal artery |
| Nerve | Pudendal nerve |
| Actions | Maintains penile erection (male) or clitoral erection (female) |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus ischiocavernosus |
| TA98 | A09.5.02.004 |
| TA2 | 2417 |
| FMA | 19730 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
It arises by tendinous and fleshy fibers from the inner surface of the tuberosity of the ischium, behind the crus penis; and from the inferior pubic rami and ischium on either side of the crus.
From these points fleshy fibers succeed, and end in an aponeurosis which is inserted into the sides and under surface of the crus penis.
Function
In females, the ischiocavernosus muscle assists with clitoral erection.[2] In male placental mammals, it helps to stabilize the erect penis[3] by compressing the crus penis and retarding the return of blood through the veins.
Additional images
Right hip bone, internal surface
Muscles of the female perineum (ischiocavernosus visible at upper left)
The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery
