Innervation of the Male Urethral Tip
The glans penis (urethral tip) receives its own dedicated nerve supply from terminal branches of the dorsal nerve of the penis, which is itself a terminal branch of the pudendal nerve. 1
Anatomical Distribution
The dorsal nerve of the penis contains two distinct populations of axons with different targets 1:
- Penile shaft and anterior urethra innervation: One population supplies sensory innervation along the length of the penile shaft and the anterior (penile) urethra 1
- Glans penis innervation: A separate population specifically innervates the glans penis at the urethral tip, establishing the glans as a sensory end organ for sexual reflexes 1
Functional Significance
The urethral innervation pattern has important physiological implications:
- Urethral afferent impulses transmitted via the dorsal nerve of the penis are a component of reflex ejaculatory activity 1
- Electrodiagnostic confirmation: Stimulation of the urethra produces recordable responses in the main trunk of the dorsal nerve of the penis, and conversely, nerve stimulation evokes responses within the urethra 1
- Bulbocavernosus reflex: Urethral stimulation elicits bulbocavernosus muscle contraction, demonstrating the functional sensory-motor arc 1
Clinical Relevance
The nerve's anatomical characteristics include:
- Accommodation mechanism: The undulating character of the dorsal nerve allows it to accommodate significant changes in penile length during erection without injury 1
- Surgical considerations: Understanding this innervation pattern is crucial during any surgical procedures involving the distal urethra or glans penis to preserve sensory function 1