The fundiform ligament of the penis is a structure of the external genitalia whose descriptions differ according to the source consulted.[1]
| Fundiform ligament | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Vertical section of bladder, penis, and urethra. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamentum fundiforme penis |
| TA98 | A04.5.02.023M |
| TA2 | 3692 |
| FMA | 19659 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
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.[1]
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.[2]
Although rarely mentioned, this ligament is also found in females (at the clitoris).[citation needed]
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.[1]
Further reading
References
External links
- Anatomy photo:35:03-0104 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Layers of the Superficial Fascia"
- Anatomy photo:42:03-0101 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Male Perineum and the Penis: The Fundiform Ligament"
- Anatomy image:7040 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
