Ventral Side of the Penis
The ventral side of the penis is the underside (inferior surface) of the penis, which includes the urethral surface where the corpus spongiosum is located, opposite to the dorsal (upper) surface.
Anatomical Definition
The ventral aspect of the penis refers to the underside when the penis is in anatomical position:
- The ventral surface contains the corpus spongiosum and urethra, running along the underside of the penis from the base to the glans 1
- The ventral shaft skin and frenulum receive sensory innervation from the perineal nerves, which travel along the ventral surface of the corpus spongiosum 1, 2
- Buck's fascia splits into two leaves ventrally at the spongiosum, creating a distinct anatomical plane on the ventral aspect 1
Clinical Relevance
Understanding ventral anatomy is essential for several clinical contexts:
- In hypospadias, the urethral meatus is positioned proximal to its normal location along the ventral penile shaft, scrotum, or perineum, often associated with ventral curvature (chordee) 3
- Perineal nerves course over the ventral side of the penis covering the ventral surface of corpus spongiosum before assembling into a network with dorsal nerve branches at the junction of corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum 2
- The underside of the glans (ventral glans) ranks highest for sexual pleasure sensitivity, followed by the underside of the penile shaft in self-assessment studies 4
Surgical Considerations
The ventral surface has critical neurovascular structures:
- Special care should be taken at the junction between the corpora cavernosa and spongiosa on the ventral aspect, where the dorsal nerve joins the perineal nerve 2
- Fine nerve fibers pierce into the corpus spongiosum through the bulbospongiosus muscle on the ventral side, making this area vulnerable during reconstructive procedures 2
- The ventral surface lacks dorsal nerve coverage at the 12 o'clock position, but has rich perineal nerve innervation along the ventral shaft and frenulum 1