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Buck's fascia (Deep fascia of penis)

The deep fascia of the penis, also called Buck’s fascia, is a dense fibrous connective tissue layer that forms a strong sheath around the three erectile bodies of the penis — the paired corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. It provides stability, structural integrity, and compartmentalization within the penis. Buck’s fascia is continuous with other fascial layers of the perineum and abdomen, making it a key anatomical landmark in penile trauma and urologic surgery.

Synonyms

  • Buck’s fascia

  • Penile deep fascia

  • Deep fascia of penis

Structure and Layers

  • Thick, fibrous connective tissue composed primarily of collagen fibers

  • Encloses the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum in a single sheath

  • Lies deep to the superficial (dartos) fascia and superficial dorsal vessels

  • Fused with the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa

  • Continuous proximally with the deep perineal fascia and Scarpa’s fascia of the anterior abdominal wall

Relations

  • Superficial: Superficial (dartos) fascia, superficial dorsal vein of penis

  • Deep: Tunica albuginea of corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum

  • Proximally: Continuous with deep perineal fascia and Scarpa’s fascia

  • Distally: Blends with fascial coverings at the glans penis

Function

  • Provides a tough sheath enclosing erectile bodies

  • Maintains the structural alignment of cavernous bodies during erection

  • Acts as a barrier limiting the spread of hemorrhage, infection, or trauma within the penis

  • Supports the dorsal neurovascular bundle of the penis

Clinical Significance

  • Penile fracture: Buck’s fascia rupture allows hematoma to extend into scrotum, perineum, or lower abdomen

  • Infection/abscess: Fascia limits or directs spread of infection

  • Urologic surgery: Key layer encountered and repaired in penile reconstructive procedures

  • Imaging relevance: Integrity of Buck’s fascia helps differentiate superficial vs. deep penile trauma

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a thin, dark linear band surrounding the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum

  • Adjacent fat is bright, highlighting fascia

T2-weighted images:

  • Fascia remains low signal intensity as a dark sheath

  • Disruption or thickening indicates trauma or pathology

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fascia appears dark

  • Hematoma, edema, or infection adjacent to fascia shows bright hyperintensity

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Normal fascia shows minimal or no enhancement

  • Pathology (trauma, infection, tumor infiltration) may show focal enhancement or irregularity

3D T2 SPACE / CISS:

  • Fascia seen as a low-signal sheath encasing the erectile bodies

  • Excellent contrast between bright surrounding tissues and dark fascia, useful in trauma evaluation

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Buck’s fascia itself is not directly visualized

  • Hematomas appear as soft tissue density around corpora, confined by intact fascia

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Fascia remains a non-enhancing boundary

  • In trauma, disruption of fascia is suggested by contrast extravasation or hematoma extending into scrotum/perineum

MRI image

Buck's fascia (Deep fascia of penis) mri axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Deep fascia (Buck's fascia) MRI coronal image