Quick Facts
Origin: Corpora cavernosa.
Course: Courses through the tunica albuginea and drain into the circumflex or deep dorsal vein of the penis.
Tributaries: Subalbugineal plexus.
Drainage: Corpora cavernosa of penis.
Origin
Sinusoidal veins in the spongy trabeculae of the corpora cavernosa form a subalbugineal plexus beneath the tunica albuginea, which open into emissary veins.
Course
The emissary veins pass through the tunica albuginea and drain into the circumflex or deep dorsal vein of the penis. Emissary veins on the ventrolateral aspect of the corpora cavernosa join the urethral veins and help form the circumflex veins. In the proximal third of the penis, on the dorsomedial aspect, emissary veins unite to form 2-5 deep veins of the penis (cavernous veins) (Quartey, 2006).
Tributaries
The emissary veins receive blood from the subalbugineal plexus.
Structures Drained
Emissary veins drain the erectile tissue of the corpora cavernosa.
References
Quartey, J. K. M. (2006) 'Anatomy and Blood Supply of the Urethra and Penis', in Schreiter, F. and Jordan, G.H. (eds.) Urethral Reconstructive Surgery. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 11-17.
