The dorsal artery of the penis is a bilaterally paired terminal branch of the internal pudendal artery which passes upon the dorsum of the penis to the base of the glans penis, where it unites with its contralateral partner and supply the glans and foreskin.
The dorsal artery of the penis provides blood supply to the skin and fascia of the penis (including the foreskin), and the erective tissues of the penis (especially the glans penis).
The dorsal artery of the penis may be damaged in traumatic amputation of the penis and repairing the dorsal artery surgically prevents skin loss, but it is not essential for sexual and urinary function. Its hemodynamics and blood pressure can be assessed to test for sexual impairment.
At the base of the glans penis, it anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart to form an arterial circle which supplies glans penis and foreskin (prepuce).[1]
Its superficial collateral branches are distributed to the integuments of the penis.[1] It gives deep/perforating collateral branches to the corpus cavernosum penis[1] (despite this, its contribution to erectile function is inconsistent[citation needed]). Through retrograde flow it helps supply the skin of the distal shaft. It also gives branches to the circumflex arteries that supply the corpus spongiosum.[citation needed]
Additional images
Arteries and veins of the penis (Spanish)
The penis in transverse section, showing the blood vessels.