The membranous layer of the superficial fascia of the perineum (Colles' fascia) is the deeper layer (
membranous layer
The membranous layer or stratum membranosum is the deepest layer of subcutaneous tissue. It is a fusion of fibres into a homogeneous layer below the adipose tissue, for example, superficial to muscular fascias.
It is considered a fascia by some s ...
) of the
superficial perineal fascia
The subcutaneous tissue of perineum (or superficial perineal fascia) is a layer of subcutaneous tissue surrounding the region of the perineal body.
The superficial fascia of this region consists of two layers, superficial and deep.
* The superfi ...
. It is thin,
aponeurotic
An aponeurosis (; plural: ''aponeuroses'') is a type or a variant of the deep fascia, in the form of a sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that attaches sheet-like muscles needing a wide area of attachment. Their primary function is to join musc ...
in structure, and of considerable strength, serving to bind down the muscles of the
root of the penis
In human male anatomy, the radix () or root of the penis is the internal and most proximal potrion of the human penis that lies in the perineum. Unlike the pendulous body or ''corpus'' of the penis which is suspended from the pubic symphysis, the r ...
. Colles' fascia emerges from the
perineal membrane
The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane.
It is the superior border of the su ...
, which divides the base of the penis from the prostate. Colles' fascia emerges from the inferior side of the perineal membrane and continues along the ventral (inferior) penis without covering the
scrotum
The scrotum or scrotal sac is an anatomical male reproductive structure located at the base of the penis that consists of a suspended dual-chambered sac of skin and smooth muscle. It is present in most terrestrial male mammals. The scrotum cont ...
. It separates the
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...
and subcutaneous fat from the
superficial perineal pouch
The superficial perineal pouch (also superficial perineal compartment/space/sac) is a compartment of the perineum.
Structure
The superficial perineal pouch is an open compartment, due to the fact that anteriorly, the space communicates freely wi ...
.
Relations
''In front'', it is continuous with the
dartos fascia
The dartos fascia or simply dartos is a layer of connective tissue found in the penile shaft, foreskin, scrotum and labia. The penile portion is referred to as the superficial fascia of penis or the subcutaneous tissue of penis, while the scrotal ...
of the penis and
Scarpa's fascia
The fascia of Scarpa is the deep membranous layer ''(stratum membranosum)'' of the superficial fascia of the abdomen. It is a layer of the anterior abdominal wall. It is found ''deep'' to the fascia of Camper and ''superficial'' to the external ...
upon the
anterior wall of the abdomen
In anatomy, the abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the abdominal cavity. The abdominal wall is split into the anterolateral and posterior walls.
There is a common set of layers covering and forming all the walls: the deepest being the vi ...
;
''On either side'' it is firmly attached to the margins of the
rami of the pubis and ischium
The ischiopubic ramus is a compound structure consisting of the following two structures:
* from the pubis, the inferior pubic ramus
* from the ischium, the inferior ramus of the ischium
It forms the inferior border of the obturator foramen and ...
, lateral to the
crus penis
For their anterior three-fourths the corpora cavernosa penis lie in intimate apposition with one another, but behind they diverge in the form of two tapering processes, known as the crura, which are firmly connected to the ischial rami.
Traced ...
and as far back as the
tuberosity of the .
''Posteriorly'', it curves around the
superficial transverse perineal muscle
The transverse perineal muscles (transversus perinei) are the superficial and the deep transverse perineal muscles.
Superficial transverse perineal ...
to join the lower margin of the
inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm
The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane.
It is the superior border of the su ...
.
''In the middle line'', it is connected with the
superficial fascia
A fascia (; plural fasciae or fascias; adjective fascial; from Latin: "band") is a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches to, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal orga ...
and with the median septum of the
bulbospongiosus muscle
The bulbospongiosus muscle (bulbocavernosus in older texts) is one of the superficial muscles 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 femal ...
.
This fascia not only covers the muscles in this region, but at its back part sends upward a vertical septum from its deep surface, which separates the posterior portion of the subjacent space into two.
Additional images
Image:Gray542.png, The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.
References
External links
*
* (, )
* - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Layers of the Superficial Fascia"
Fascia
{{muscle-stub