Penile raphe

Penile Raphe

The Penile Raphe is a visible line or ridge that runs along the underside of the penis, from the meatus (opening of the urethra) to the scrotum. It is a normal part of male genital anatomy and is present from birth.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The penile raphe is a continuation of the perineal raphe, which extends from the anus, through the midline of the scrotum (scrotal raphe), and up the underside of the penis (penile raphe). It is formed during fetal development, as the halves of the male genitalia fuse together. The raphe does not have any specific function, but its presence is a normal part of male anatomy.

Development[edit | edit source]

The development of the penile raphe occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is a result of the fusion of the urogenital folds, which are structures present in the early development of both male and female fetuses. In males, these folds fuse to form the penile raphe and the urethra, while in females, they remain unfused and form the labia minora.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

While the penile raphe is a normal part of anatomy, abnormalities can occur. These can include a bifid scrotum, where the scrotal raphe is duplicated, or hypospadias, where the penile raphe does not extend to the tip of the penis and the urethral opening is located on the underside of the penis. These conditions are usually diagnosed at birth and can be corrected with surgery.