Summary
The suspensory system of the penis acquires clinical importance in reparative surgery, traumatology and through its role in erection. The aim of this study was to identify the different anatomic structures constituting the suspensory ligament by dissection and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten unembalmed male subjects were used for dissection of the region of the base of the penis. Ten volunteer patients underwent MRI of the penis before and after the injection of prostaglandin (PGE1). The suspensory apparatus consisted of separate ligamentous structures: the fundiform ligament, which is lateral, superficial and not adherent to the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa; the suspensory ligament properly so-called, further back, stretching between the pubis and the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa and consisting of two lateral, circumferential, and one median bundles, which circumscribed the dorsal vein of the penis. These structures were identifiable in MRI and their supporting role was evidenced during tests of erection. The suspensory ligament seemed to maintain the base of the penis in front of the pubis and to behave as a major point of support for the mobile portion of the penis during erection.
Résumé
L'appareil suspenseur du pénis présente un intérÍt clinique en chirurgie réparatrice, en traumatologie, et par son rôle dans l'érection. Le but de cette étude était d'identifier les différentes structures anatomiques constituant le ligament suspenseur par la dissection et par la résonance magnétique nucléaire (IRM). Dix sujets m,les non embaumés ont été utilisés pour la dissection de la région de la base du pénis. Dix patients volontaires ont eu une IRM de la verge avant et après injection de prostaglandine (PGE1). L'appareil suspenseur était composé de structures ligamentaires séparées: le ligament fundiforme, latéral, superficiel et non adhérent à l'albuginée des corps caverneux; le ligament suspenseur proprement dit, plus en arrière, tendu entre le pubis et l'albuginée des corps caverneux et composé de deux faisceaux latéraux, circonférentiels, et d'un faisceau médian, qui circonscrivai la veine dorsale du pénis. Ces structures étaient identifiables en IRM et leur rôle de soutien a été mis en évidence dans les épreuves d'érection. Le ligament suspenseur semble maintenir la base de la verge en avant du pubis et se comporter comme un point de soutien important pour la partie mobile du pénis en érection.
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Hoznek, A., Rahmouni, A., Abbou, C. et al. The suspensory ligament of the penis: an anatomic and radiologic description. Surg Radiol Anat 20, 413–417 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01653133
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01653133