Buck's fascia (deep fascia of the penis, Gallaudet's fascia or fascia of the penis) is a layer of

deep fascia Deep fascia (or investing fascia) is a fascia, a layer of dense connective tissue that can surround individual muscles and groups of muscles to separate into fascial compartments. This fibrous connective tissue interpenetrates and surrounds the m ...

covering the three erectile bodies of the

penis A penis (plural ''penises'' or ''penes'' () is the primary sexual organ that male animals use to inseminate females (or hermaphrodites) during copulation. Such organs occur in many animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate, but males do n ...

Structure

Buck's fascia is continuous with the

external spermatic fascia The external spermatic fascia (intercrural or intercolumnar fascia) is a thin membrane, prolonged downward around the surface of the spermatic cord and testis. It is separated from the dartos tunic by loose areolar tissue. It is occasionally referr ...

in 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 ...

and the

suspensory ligament of the penis The suspensory ligament of the penis is attached to the pubic symphysis, which holds the penis close to the pubic bone and supports it when erect. The ligament does not directly connect to the Corpus cavernosum penis, but may still play a role in ...

. On its ventral aspect, it splits to envelop corpus spongiosum in a separate compartment from the tunica albuginea and corporal bodies.

Variation

Sources differ on its proximal extent. Some state that it is a ''continuation'' of the

deep perineal fascia The fascia of perineum (deep perineal fascia, superficial investing fascia of perineum or Gallaudet fascia) is the fascia which covers the muscles of the superficial perineal pouch. The muscles surrounded by the deep perineal fascia are the bulb ...

, whereas others state that it fuses with the tunica albuginea.

Function

The

deep dorsal vein of the penis Deep or The Deep may refer to: Places United States * Deep Creek (Appomattox River tributary), Virginia * Deep Creek (Great Salt Lake), Idaho and Utah * Deep Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary), Pennsylvania * Deep Creek (Mojave River tributary), C ...

, the cavernosal veins of the penis, and the para-arterial veins of the penis are inside Buck's fascia, but the

superficial dorsal veins of the penis In human anatomy, the dorsal veins of the penis comprise the superficial dorsal vein of the penis and the deep dorsal vein of the penis. Superficial dorsal vein The ''superficial dorsal vein of the penis'' drains the prepuce and skin of the pe ...

are in the superficial (

dartos 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 ...

) fascia immediately under the skin.

History

Etymology

The name Buck's fascia is named after

Gurdon Buck Gurdon Buck (May 4, 1807 – March 6, 1877) was a pioneering military plastic surgeon during the Civil War. He is known for being the first doctor to incorporate pre- and post-operative photographs into his publications. Buck's fascia and ...

, an American

plastic surgeon Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniof ...

Additional images

File:Spermatic cord 5.jpg, Dissection of the penis and its surroundings. File:Slide4Nemo.JPG, Anterior abdominal wall.Intermediate dissection.Anterior view File:Normal penis ultrasound.jpg,

Medical ultrasonography Medical ultrasound includes diagnostic techniques (mainly medical imaging, imaging techniques) using ultrasound, as well as therapeutic ultrasound, therapeutic applications of ultrasound. In diagnosis, it is used to create an image of internal ...

of a normal penis.

References

External links

* ()
Diagram (flash) at rnceus.com
{{Authority control Mammal male reproductive system Human penis anatomy Fascia