Bulbospongiosus muscle 589401 222661207 2008-06-30T14:12:58Z Vedran12 7322109 interwiki hr {{Infobox Muscle | Name = Bulbospongiosus muscle | Latin = musculus bulbospongiosus | GraySubject = 120 | GrayPage = 428 | Image = Bulbospongiosus-Female.png | Caption = Muscles of the female perineum. (Bulbocavernosus visible at upper right.) | Image2 = Bulbospongiosus-Male.png | Caption2 = Muscles of male perineum. (Bulbocavernosus visible at upper left.) | Origin = [[Median raphé]] | Insertion = | Blood = [[Perineal artery]] | Nerve = [[pudendal nerve]] | Action = in males, empties the [[urethra]]; in females, clenches the [[vagina]]| MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = m_22 | DorlandsSuf = 12548543 | }} '''Bulbospongiosus''' ('''bulbocavernous''' in older texts) is one of the superficial [[muscle]]s of the [[perineum]]. It has a slightly different origin, insertion and function in males and females. In males, it covers the [[bulb of the penis]]. In females, it covers the [[vestibular bulb]]. In both sexes, it is innervated by the deep/muscular branch of the [[perineal nerve]], which is a branch of the [[pudendal nerve]]. ==Action== In males it contributes to [[erection]], [[ejaculation]], and the feelings of [[orgasm]]. In females it contributes to [[erection]] and the feelings of orgasm, and closes the [[vagina]]. This muscle serves to empty the canal of the [[urethra]], after the bladder has expelled its contents; during the greater part of the act of [[micturition]] its fibers are relaxed, and it only comes into action at the end of the process. The middle fibers are supposed by Krause to assist in the erection of the [[corpus cavernosum urethræ]], by compressing the erectile tissue of the bulb. The anterior fibers, according to Tyrrel, also contribute to the erection of the penis by compressing the [[deep dorsal vein]] of the penis as they are inserted into, and continuous with, the fascia of the penis. ==Location== The is placed in the middle line of the [[perineum]], in front of the [[anus]]. It consists of two symmetrical parts, united along the median line by a tendinous [[raphé]]. It arises from the central tendinous point of the [[perineum]] and from the [[median raphé]] in front. ==Fibers== Its fibers diverge like the barbs of a quill-pen; the most posterior form a thin layer, which is lost on the inferior fascia of the [[urogenital diaphragm]]; the middle fibers encircle the bulb and adjacent parts, of the [[corpus cavernosum urethræ]], and join with the fibers of the opposite side, on the upper part of the corpus cavernosum urethræ, in a strong [[aponeurosis]]; the anterior fibers, spread out over the side of the corpus cavernosum [[penis]], to be inserted partly into that body, anterior to the [[Ischiocavernosus]], occasionally extending to the pubis, and partly ending in a tendinous expansion which covers the dorsal vessels of the penis. The latter fibers are best seen by dividing the muscle longitudinally, and reflecting it from the surface of the corpus cavernosum urethræ. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray407.png|Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front. Image:Gray542.png|The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery. </gallery> ==External links== * {{MuscleLoyola|bulb}} * {{GPnotebook|-838467507}} * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|41|11|01|02}} - "The Female Perineum: Muscles of the Superficial Perineal Pouch" * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|42|04|02}} - "Muscles of the male superficial perineal pouch. " * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|43|04|11}} - "The urinary bladder and the urethra as seen in a frontal section of the female pelvis." * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|1|62}} * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|1|97}} {{Gray's}} {{Muscles of trunk}} [[Category:Muscular system]] {{muscle-stub}} [[de:Musculus bulbospongiosus]] [[es:Bulbocavernoso]] [[hr:Gomoljnospužvasti mišić]] [[pt:Músculo bulbocavernoso]]