The bulk of the parenchyma of the corpora cavernosa consists of bundles of smooth muscle fibers. These bundles are oriented in all directions and establish at least 2 insertions upon elements of the fibrous skeleton of the corpora. The fibrous skeleton includes the tunica albuginea and its fibrous columns, the intracavernous fibrous framework, and the periarterial and perineural fibrous sheaths. The cavernous vascular spaces (sinusoids) form an intercommunicating network embedded within the mass of smooth muscle. Thus, the smooth muscle does not form a muscular wall proper for each sinusoid.
The corpora cavernosa contain a fibrous skeleton composed of tunica albuginea with its fibrous columns, periarterial and perineural fibrous sheaths, and an intraparenchymal fibrous framework attached to all fibrous elements of the corpora cavernosa. This anatomical arrangement probably plays an important part in the firmness of the corpora cavernosa during erection. The fibrous framework, due to its numerous attachments to the deep surface of the tunica albuginea and its columns, when stretched during erection, prevents bending and deformation of the corpora cavernosa.
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