The fundiform ligament of the penis is a structure of the external genitalia whose descriptions differ according to the source consulted.
The 41st Edition of ''
Gray's Anatomy'' (2015) and ''Traité d'Anatomie humaine'' do not acknowledge this structure. Some sources equate the fundiform ligament with the
Scarpa fascia.
According to the ''Medical Dictionary of the French Academy of Medicine'' the fundiform ligament is a bilaterally paired bundle of fibres of the lateral lamina of the
suspensory ligament of penis which curve around the lateral and inferior aspects of the penis to unite with the contralateral fundiform ligament beneath the urethral aspect of the penis; the two fundiform ligaments thus form a sling which offers structural support to the penis.
Although rarely mentioned, this ligament is also found in females (at the
clitoris
In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...
).
Research
A 2023 cadaveric study on 7 cadavers characterised the fundiform ligament as a structurally heterogenous structure that is superficial to the suspensory ligament of penis. The study identified three morphological types/variants of the fundiform ligament: a single triangular structure (attached proximally onto the linea alba); a doubled structure with accessory bundles (one medial main band and one lateral accessory band on each side); and an amourphous, ligamentous fibrous connective band structure.
Further reading
Filipoiu, FM et al. ''Suspension of the penis – dissection, anatomical description and highlighting of anatomical risks in sectioning the suspensory ligaments''. Basic Clin Androl (2023)
References
External links
* - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Layers of the Superficial Fascia"
* - "The Male Perineum and the Penis: The Fundiform Ligament"
*
Mammal male reproductive system
Ligaments
Sexual anatomy
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