Muscle
Ischiocavernosus
Muscle over each crus of the erectile bodies
High-yield
Ischiocavernosus covers a crus; bulbospongiosus covers a bulb. Both receive motor branches from the pudendal nerve.
Overview
Ischiocavernosus covers the crus of the penis or clitoris along each side of the pubic arch. Its fibers compress the underlying cavernous tissue. This raises local pressure and helps maintain erection by directing blood into the distal body and restricting venous outflow.
Reference facts
- Origin
- From the ischial tuberosity and adjacent ischiopubic ramus.
- Insertion
- Blends with the covering of the penile or clitoral crus.
- Innervation
- Deep muscular branches of the perineal nerve from the pudendal nerve, S2–S4.
- Action
- Compresses cavernous tissue at the root and assists maintenance of erection.
- Blood supply
- Perineal branches of the internal pudendal arterial system.
Clinical correlation
Perineal trauma may affect the muscle and the vascular tissue beneath it. Its position helps explain the relationship between skeletal-muscle activity and erectile pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ischiocavernosus do?
The ischiocavernosus compresses cavernous tissue at the root and assists maintenance of erection.
What nerve innervates the ischiocavernosus?
Deep muscular branches of the perineal nerve from the pudendal nerve, S2–S4.
Where does the ischiocavernosus attach?
Origin: From the ischial tuberosity and adjacent ischiopubic ramus. Insertion: Blends with the covering of the penile or clitoral crus.
What is the blood supply of the ischiocavernosus?
The ischiocavernosus is supplied by the perineal branches of the internal pudendal arterial system.