Arterial supply of the penis in the New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.)

In the present study, the distributional pattern of the penile artery and the vessels joining the blood supply of the penis were investigated in the New Zealand rabbit. Eight adult rabbits were used in the study. In order to exhibit the vascular network by dissection, latex was injected via the abdominal aorta. The main vessel which supplies blood to the penis, the penile artery, is a branch of the internal pudendal artery. It divides into two branches which form the deep and dorsal penile arteries at the level of the ischiadic arch. The deep penile artery penetrates the tunica albuginea, and forms the arterial network of corpus cavernosum penis. On the other hand, the dorsal penile artery gives off three small branches for the subischiocavernosus muscle and at the level of the attachment of this muscle sends two small branches for the preputium. The course of both arteries follows the dorsolateral surface of the penis to the glans and ends in an anastomosis. Hence, a caudal branch of the prostatic artery which originates from the umbilical artery joins the blood supply of the penis in the rabbit. After vascularizing the prostate complex, it ends by entering the corpus spongiosus penis at the dorsolateral surface at the level of the ischiadic arch.