The Corona of the Glans Penis: Anatomical Structure and Significance
The rim around the head of the penis is called the corona of the glans penis. This anatomical structure is a prominent ridge that forms the border between the glans penis (head) and the shaft of the penis 1.
Anatomical Description and Location
The corona of the glans penis is a raised ridge that encircles the base of the glans penis where it meets the shaft. It has several important anatomical characteristics:
- Located at the junction between the glans and the shaft of the penis
- Forms part of the coronal sulcus area, which is one of the highest incidence areas for penile lesions 1
- Contains a high concentration of nerve endings, particularly genital end bulbs which are most numerous in the corona and near the frenulum 2
- Serves as an anatomical landmark in the examination and assessment of penile conditions
Sensory Innervation
The corona has significant sensory innervation:
- Contains numerous free nerve endings (FNEs) and specialized corpuscular receptors 2
- The ratio of free nerve endings to corpuscular receptors is approximately 10:1 2
- The dorsal nerve of the penis provides innervation to the corona 3
- Electrical testing has shown that the corona has robust sensory responses, with recorded patterns typically showing monophasic waveforms representing the arrival of standing potentials at nerve terminals 3
Clinical Significance
The corona of the glans penis has important clinical implications:
- It's a common site for penile lesions, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 1
- The coronal sulcus (the groove behind the corona) is one of the areas of highest incidence for penile cancer 1
- In the United States, studies show that 34.5% of penile SCC cases have the primary lesion on the glans, with the coronal area being a frequent site 1
- During physical examination for penile conditions, the corona serves as an important landmark for assessment
Comparative Anatomy
It's worth noting that this structure has homologous counterparts:
- The clitoris also has a corona (corona of the glans clitoris), though it has been historically underrepresented in anatomical literature 4
- The recognition of these homologous structures is important for comprehensive anatomical education and clinical practice 4
Developmental Considerations
The corona may be affected by various developmental conditions:
- In cases of "inconspicuous penis" conditions (including concealed penis, webbed penis, etc.), the corona may be partially hidden or difficult to visualize 5
- Proper assessment of the corona is part of the evaluation of penile developmental conditions
Understanding the corona of the glans penis is essential for proper examination, diagnosis, and treatment of various penile conditions, particularly in the context of penile cancer screening where early detection is crucial for improved survival outcomes 1.