Macro/microscopic distribution of the dorsal nerve of penis in human glans penis.

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the dorsal nerve of penis (DNP) that provides the greatest sensitivity over the glans penis. The glandes of 23 penises of formalin-embalmed cadavers were investigated to confirm the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the DNP within the glans penis by whole-mount Sihler's staining and histological sectioning. Superficial regions of the mid-glans were reconstructed in three dimensions to define the microstructure of terminal branches of the DNP that project towards the skin surface. A mean of 6.7 bundles of the DNP consisting of several nerve fibres converged linearly towards the distal end of the penis, rather than diverging laterally as they travelled. Lateral branches of the DNP extended linearly to the distal end with ramifications, while dorsomedial branches of the DNP gave off nerve fibres to the dorsum of the mid-glans and the corona. The intrastromal ramifications of the DNP were more developed in the distal half of the glans penis than the proximal glans containing the corpus cavernosum. These ramifications gave rise to radial nerve fibres that project towards the skin surface to form a plexiform network of terminal branches in the dermis. Linear projections of the main branches of the DNP throughout the glans and fine networks of terminal branches in the dermis were distinctly visualized in the human penis.