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Topic

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Coronal sulcus

The coronal sulcus, or sulcus coronarius, is a shallow groove located on the penis that separates the glans penis from the shaft (corpus penis). It is formed posterior to the corona of the glans and encircles its base. This anatomical landmark is important in urology and sexual medicine because it plays a role in penile sensitivity and is a site of common dermatological, infectious, and neoplastic conditions.

Synonyms

  • Sulcus coronarius

  • Penile coronal groove

  • Coronary sulcus of the glans

Location and Boundaries

  • Anteriorly: Bounded by the corona of the glans penis

  • Posteriorly: Continuous with the shaft skin and prepuce (foreskin) attachment

  • Laterally: Encircles the glans penis circumferentially

  • Inferiorly (ventral surface): Related to the frenulum of the prepuce

Relations

  • Closely related to the prepuce (foreskin), which reflects over the glans at this point

  • Lies superficial to the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa

  • Inferiorly continuous with the penile frenulum

  • Forms a natural recess where smegma, debris, or pathogens may accumulate if hygiene is poor

Function

  • Anatomical demarcation between glans penis and shaft

  • Contributes to sexual sensation due to high density of sensory receptors in this region

  • Acts as an attachment landmark for the prepuce

  • Plays a role in penile aesthetics and structural contour

Clinical Significance

  • Infections: Common site for balanitis, posthitis, and accumulation of smegma

  • STIs: Herpes, HPV lesions, and syphilitic chancres often localize here

  • Oncology: Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis often arises in the coronal sulcus due to chronic irritation and poor hygiene

  • Circumcision relevance: The sulcus is an important landmark during foreskin removal

  • Inflammatory conditions: Lichen sclerosus and Zoon balanitis can present here

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Coronal sulcus appears as a low-to-intermediate signal groove between glans and shaft

  • Surrounding subcutaneous fat appears bright, providing contrast

T2-weighted images:

  • Sulcus and glans surface appear as well-defined intermediate signal groove

  • Pathology (edema, infection, tumor) shows bright hyperintensity

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Normal sulcus: low signal groove

  • Inflammation, edema, or neoplastic lesions: bright hyperintensity

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Normal sulcus shows minimal or no enhancement

  • Pathology (infection, tumor, inflammation) shows focal or diffuse enhancement

3D T2 SPACE / CISS:

  • Coronal sulcus appears as a well-defined intermediate signal groove

  • Surrounded by bright signal from adjacent soft tissues and fat planes

  • Provides high-resolution depiction of glans–shaft interface

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Sulcus seen as a shallow soft tissue groove between glans and shaft

  • Fat around penile shaft provides contrast

  • Pathologies such as calcification or mass lesions can be identified

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Normal sulcus shows no significant enhancement

  • Inflammatory and neoplastic processes may demonstrate enhancing soft tissue thickening at the sulcus

  • Abscess or ulceration: rim enhancement with central low attenuation

MRI image

Coronal sulcus mri axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000