Chapter 61 - Penis and prepuce Flashcards
What are the three main anatomical parts of the horse penis?
Root, body (shaft), and glans penis.
What tissue composes the penis?
Erectile tissue, musculocavernous
Where does the penis originate?
caudally at the root,
which is fixed to the lateral aspects of the ischial arch by two
crura (leg-like parts) that converge to form the shaft of the penis
What is the term for the portion of the penis distal to the prepuce’s attachment?
Free part of the penis.
What are the two main types of penile erectile bodies?
Corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) and corpus spongiosum penis (CSP).
Which erectile body is responsible for erection?
Corpus cavernosum penis (CCP).
What causes the penis to protrude from the prepuce?
Decreased tonus during micturition.
What is the oval structure at the distal end of the penis called?
Glans penis.
What is the function of the bulb of the penis?
It is the proximal enlargement of the CSP that plays a role in erection.
How does the tunica albuginea vary between the CCP and CSP?
The tunica albuginea of the CSP is thinner and more elastic.
What is the corona glandis?
The circular edge of the glans penis.
What condition can large deposits of smegma in the urethral sinus cause?
They can form “beans,” which may interfere with urination.
What is the fossa glandis?
deep depression on the cranial surface of the glans that contains the urethra.
Define detumescence.
The process of penis returning to its non-erect state after ejaculation.
What role do the bulbospongiosus muscles play during ejaculation?
They create rhythmic contractions to expel semen.
Where does the corpus cavernosum penis originate?
Below the ischial arch at the junction of the crura.
What is the urethral process?
The tubular protrusion of the urethra from the fossa glandis.
What anatomical feature aids in maintaining an erection by preventing venous return?
Ischiocavernosus muscles.
What happens to the blood vessels in the penis during erection?
Increased arterial blood flow and distention of the cavernous spaces.
What is the main hemodynamic event that leads to penile erection?
Increased arterial flow to the cavernous spaces.
What muscles assist in the release of seminal fluid during ejaculation?
Urethralis muscle.
What symmetry exists within the structure of the penis?
the paired structures of crura and cavernous bodies are symmetrically arrange
How does parasympathetic stimulation affect the penis during arousal?
It reduces pressure in the CCP, allowing increased blood flow
What is the primary influence of the bulbospongiosus muscle on erection?
It helps achieve and maintain high pressure in the CSP during arousal.
What are the retracting actions of the retractor penis muscles?
They retract the penis into the prepuce after erection.
What is the role of the ischiourethral muscles?
They may assist in erection by compressing the dorsal veins.
What is the significance of the urethral groove?
It runs along the ventral surface of the CCP, accommodating the urethra.
What anatomical structure surrounds the urethra within the penis?
Corpus spongiosum penis (CSP).
How does the penis change in length during erection?
It can become up to three times longer than when quiescent.
What happens to arterial blood flow during detumescence?
It decreases as sympathetic impulses return the helicine arteries to a coiled state.
How does the anatomy of the glans penis differ from the shaft?
The glans has a thinner tunica albuginea, making it softer compared to the shaft.
What role does the bulbous structure at the base of the CSP play in erection?
It contributes to the pressure and expansion of the glans penis.
what two types of muscles are involved in the erection mechanism?
Smooth muscle in the cavernous spaces and skeletal muscles (like bulbospongios
What are the main arteries supplying the penis?
The internal pudendal, obturator, and external pudendal arteries.
Which artery is a major source of blood for the erectile tissue of the penis?
The cranial (or dorsal) artery of the penis, supplied by the external pudendal artery.
what does the internal pudendal artery terminate as, and what does it supply?
It terminates as the artery of the bulb of the penis, which supplies the corpus spongiosum penis (CSP).
from which arteries do the deep arteries of the penis originate?
The obturator arteries.
How is venous blood drained from the penis?
Through a venous plexus on the dorsum and sides, emptied by external pudendal and obturator veins.
What is the primary nervous supply to the penis?
The pudendal nerves and the pelvic plexus of the sympathetic nervous system.
Which muscles are supplied by the deep perineal and caudal rectal nerves?
The bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and retractor penis muscles.
What are the accessory genital glands found in horses?
The paired seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands, and ampullae of the ductus deferens.
How do the accessory genital glands change between sexually mature stallions and geldings?
They are fully developed in stallions but revert to juvenile size in geldings.
What structure is formed by the widened distal sections of each deferent duct?
An ampulla with a thickened wall containing secretory glands.
Describe the location and shape of the seminal vesicles.
They are hollow, pear-shaped glands on the dorsal surface of the bladder neck, lateral to the ampullae.
What role do the seminal vesicles play in the ejaculate?
They provide the major portion of the ejaculate and nourish and buffer spermatozoa.
What is the significance of the ejaculatory duct?
It is formed by the combined terminal portion of the ampulla and excretory duct of the seminal vesicle.
What characterizes the secretions of the seminal vesicles?
The secretions are viscous and contribute significantly to the volume of ejaculate.
What is seminal vesiculitis and its related complications?
an inflammation of the seminal vesicles that may lead to infertility; surgical removal of infected vesicles might be required.
Describe the anatomy of the prostate in stallions.
A bilobed, nodular gland located dorsal to the neck of the bladder, measuring 5 to 9 cm long.
What is the function of the prostatic secretion?
It neutralizes acidity from fluids entering the urethra from the ductus deferens.
Where are the bulbourethral glands located, and what is their size?
They are located on the dorsolateral surface of the urethra at the ischial arch, measuring 4 to 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.
What is the primary function of the bulbourethral glands?
They produce an alkaline, mucinous secretion that clears the urethra of urine and lubricates for seminal fluid passage.
How do the excretory ducts of the bulbourethral glands function?
They open in longitudinal rows of small papillae on the dorsal surface of the pelvic urethra, caudal to the prostatic ducts.
Figure 61-1. The cranial end of the penis in median section in situ in the horse, medial aspect. a, Corpus cavernosum penis; b, corpus spongiosum glandis; c, urethra; d, urethral process; e, fossa glandis; f, external preputial orifice; g, preputial cavity (internal); h, plica preputialis; i, prepuce.
Figure 61-3. Cross section of the penis. a, Dorsal veins of penis; b, tunica albuginea; c, corpus cavernosum penis with dividing trabeculae; d, corpus spongiosum; e, urethra; f, bulbospongiosus; g, retractor penis muscle.
Figure 61-2. Perineum of stallion, deep dissection, caudal aspect. A, Cross section through root of tail; B, external anal sphincter; C, tuber ischiadicum; D, semitendinosus; D′, short head from tuber ischiadicum; D′′, vertebral head; E, obturator externus; F, adductor; G, ventral stump of semimembranosus (the dorsal part of the muscle has been removed); H, gracilis; J, caudal wall of scrotum; a, penile part of retractor penis; a′, a′′, rectal part of retractor penis; b, bulbospongiosus, partly removed on the left side to expose the urethra; c, right ischiocavernosus, covering right crus penis (broken line); c′, outline of left ischiocavernosus, which has been removed to expose left crus penis; 1, left crus penis; 2, outline of right crus penis under cover of ischiocavernosus; 3, union of crura penis; (4) corpus cavernosum penis; 5, urethra, surrounded by corpus spongiosum; 6, muscular branches of obturator vessels.
Figure 61-5. Extended penis of a stallion (protruded from the prepuce), left lateral aspect. a, Glans penis; b, free part of the penis; c, attachment of the inner lamina of the preputial fold to penis; d, inner lamina of the preputial fold; e, preputial ring; (f) outer lamina of the preputial fold; g, internal lamina of the external fold of the prepuce; h, fossa glandis; i, urethral process; j, corona glandis; k, collum glandis.
Figure 61-4. Distal end of the penis of the horse. (A) Caudoventral aspect of the glans, and of the terminal part of the urethra with corpus spongiosum; (B) ventrolateral aspect of corpus cavernosum; (C) lateral aspect of tip of the penis (the skin of the penis has been removed proximal to the corona glandis). a, a′, corpus cavernosum; a′′, dorsomedian process of corpus cavernosum; a′′′, ventrolateral processes of corpus cavernosum; aiv, urethral groove; b, urethra, surrounded by corpus spongiosum; b′, urethral process and external urethral orifice; b′′, stump of bulbospongiosus; c, fossa glandis; c′, corona glandis; c′′, collum glandis; c′′′, dorsal process of glans; civ, recesses on the interior of the glans for the three processes (a′′, a′′′) of the corpus cavernosum.
Figure 61-6. Graphic representation of the urogenital tract of the stallion. a, Penis; b, testes; c, kidneys; d, ureters; e, urinary bladder; f, ductus deferens; g, seminal vesicles; h, prostate gland; i, bulbourethral glands.
Figure 61-7. The pudendal nerves can be anesthetized where they course around the ischium by inserting a 20- to 22-gauge, 3.8-cm (112-in)
needle on the right and left side of the penis at the level of the ischium. The needles are inserted until their point strikes the ischium. Only the right needle has been inserted in this picture.
What is the prepuce?
A voluminous, folded sleeve of skin covering the mobile part of the quiescent penis.
What are the two laminae that compose the prepuce in horses?
The external lamina (haired, continuous with abdominal wall skin) and the internal lamina (in contact with the penis).
How far does the external lamina of the prepuce extend craniad from the scrotum?
It extends to within 5 to 8 cm of the umbilicus.
What anatomical structure divides the external lamina sagittally on its ventral midline?
The preputial raphe.
What supports the prepuce and from what is it derived?
An elastic suspensory ligament derived from the abdominal tunic.
What unique feature differentiates the prepuce of the horse from that of other species?It is formed by a double fold of preputial skin, one inside the other.
It is formed by a double fold of preputial skin, one inside the other.
What is the plica preputialis and when is it formed?
It is a cylindrical internal fold formed by the doubling of the internal lamina when the penis is retracted.
At birth, why is the penis not free in the preputial cavity in horses?
Because the epithelium of the internal lamina and the epithelium of the penis are fused into a single lamina.
What is the preputial ring?
The opening of the plica preputialis.
What process splits the lamina into external and internal laminae after birth?
A cytolytic process forming vesicles that coalesce to create the preputial cavity.
During which timeframe does the separation of the internal and external laminae occur in horses?
In the first month after birth.
What might difficulty in erection suggest in a breeding stallion?
Possible vascular shunt or fibrosis in the CCP.
What might a “bean” in the fossa glandis cause?
Stranguria, or painful urination.
What is a urethral rent?
tear in the urethra that may cause pain during ejaculation.
How can the penis be palpated when retracted?
By inserting a gloved hand through the preputial orifice and ring
what information from a horse’s history is relevant when diagnosing preputial or penile abnormalities?
Copulatory performance, drug therapy, behavioral changes, conception rates, duration of disability, previous injuries, illnesses, or urogenital surgery.
What should be included in the physical examination of a horse with a penile or preputial disorder?
Observation of urination, palpation of the bladder, and palpation of the penis and prepuce.
How can a horse be stimulated to urinate during a clinical examination?
By placing it in a freshly bedded stall, shaking the bedding while whistling, or administering furosemide intravenously.
What condition should be suspected if a horse makes painful and unsuccessful attempts to urinate?
Urethral obstruction.
hat is a “bean” in the context of equine penile disorders and what condition can it cause?
large accumulation of hardened smegma within the fossa glandis, which can cause stranguria.
What could cause a breeding stallion’s inability to achieve erection?
A vascular shunt from the CCP to a vessel outside the tunica albuginea or fibrosis of cavernous tissue from priapism.
What might a stallion that is reluctant to ejaculate or shows pain during ejaculation be suffering from?
A urethral rent or seminal vesiculitis.
How can fibrosis of cavernous tissue in stallions be assessed?
By palpating the cavernous tissue; fibrous, noncompliant tissue indicates permanent damage.
How is the penis palpated in a horse with phimosis?
By inserting a gloved and lubricated hand through the preputial orifice and preputial ring.
What diagnostic procedures are recommended if seminal vesiculitis is suspected?
Examining semen and urine for blood and endoscopic inspection of the urethra.
What can be evaluated by palpation of the prepuce and penis?
The external and internal preputial cavities, preputial ring, free part of the penis, urethral sinus, and process.
Which drugs should be avoided when protruding a stallion’s penis and why?
Phenothiazine-derivative tranquilizers because they are associated with penile paralysis and priapism.