Ischiocavernosus muscle

The ischiocavernosus muscle (erectores penis or erector clitoridis in older texts) is a muscle just below the surface of the perineum, present in both men and women.^[1]

Ischiocavernosus muscle
Muscles of male perineum (ischiocavernosus visible at upper left)
Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front.
Details
Origin	Ischial tuberosity
Insertion	Crus of penis (male) or crus of clitoris (female)
Artery	Perineal artery
Nerve	Pudendal nerve
Actions	Maintains penile erection (male) or clitoral erection (female)
Identifiers
Latin	musculus ischiocavernosus
TA98	A09.5.02.004
TA2	2417
FMA	19730
Anatomical terms of muscle [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

It arises by tendinous and fleshy fibers from the inner surface of the tuberosity of the ischium, behind the crus penis; and from the inferior pubic rami and ischium on either side of the crus.

From these points fleshy fibers succeed, and end in an aponeurosis which is inserted into the sides and under surface of the crus penis.

Function

In females, the ischiocavernosus muscle assists with clitoral erection.^[2] In males, it helps to stabilize the erect penis by compressing the crus penis and retarding the return of blood through the veins.

Additional images

• 
  Right hip bone. Internal surface.
• 
  muscles of the female perineum (ischiocavernosus visible at upper left)
• 
  The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.