Topics

Topic

design image
Glans penis

The glans penis is the expanded distal end of the corpus spongiosum, forming the terminal portion of the penis. It covers the ends of the paired corpora cavernosa and is capped by the external urethral meatus. The glans is richly vascularized and innervated, making it highly sensitive and important in sexual function. It is covered by mucous membrane continuous with the skin of the shaft and, in uncircumcised males, is normally covered by the prepuce (foreskin).

It plays a vital role in reproduction, micturition, and is of major clinical significance in urology, dermatology, oncology, and radiology.

Synonyms

  • Head of the penis

  • Glans

  • Distal corpus spongiosum

Structure and Relations

  • Anteriorly: Rounded free tip with the external urethral meatus at its summit

  • Posteriorly: Continuous with the corpus spongiosum; base forms the coronal sulcus separating glans from shaft

  • Laterally: Covered by prepuce in uncircumcised males

  • Internal relation: Contains the terminal portion of the urethra within the corpus spongiosum

Nerve Supply

  • Dorsal nerve of the penis (branch of the pudendal nerve)

  • Cavernous nerves (autonomic fibers via pelvic plexus)

Arterial Supply

  • Dorsal artery of the penis (branch of internal pudendal artery)

  • Urethral artery (branch of internal pudendal artery)

Venous Drainage

  • Dorsal vein of the penis → periprostatic venous plexus → internal iliac vein

Function

  • Facilitates urination via the external urethral meatus

  • Provides sensory input during sexual activity due to its dense innervation

  • Protects the distal urethra

  • Plays a role in erection and ejaculation by transmitting pressure and tactile stimulation

Clinical Significance

  • Phimosis and paraphimosis: Prepuce-related pathologies affecting glans exposure

  • Balanitis: Inflammation of the glans, often infectious or dermatologic

  • Carcinoma of penis: Frequently originates at the glans

  • Trauma: Glans injuries are important in reconstructive urology

  • Imaging relevance: MRI and CT are used in evaluation of penile cancer, trauma, and infection

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Glans shows intermediate signal intensity

  • High vascularity may cause mild enhancement of texture

  • Fat around penis is bright, aiding delineation

T2-weighted images:

  • Glans appears with intermediate to high signal intensity

  • Urethra and vascular spaces may appear hyperintense

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Glans demonstrates intermediate to high signal intensity

  • Pathological changes (inflammation, edema, tumor) appear bright hyperintense

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Normal glans enhances homogeneously and vividly due to its vascularity

  • Carcinoma or infection may enhance irregularly or heterogeneously

  • Necrotic lesions may show rim enhancement with central non-enhancing area

3D T2 SPACE / CISS:

  • Glans shows intermediate to mildly hyperintense signal compared to muscle

  • Urethral lumen appears bright

  • Provides fine anatomical detail of the urethra and surrounding erectile tissue

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Glans appears as soft tissue density continuous with corpus spongiosum

  • Calcifications (rare) may be seen in chronic infection or carcinoma

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Normal glans shows moderate homogeneous enhancement

  • Tumors or infections appear as irregular enhancing masses

  • Necrotic or abscessed lesions may show peripheral rim enhancement with central low density

MRI images