The fascial floor of the deep perineal pouch (the perineal membrane) is pierced by the deep dorsal vein of the penis/clitoris, which drains into the:

• A Superficial external pudendal vein
• B Inferior epigastric vein
• C Obturator vein
• D Prostatic venous plexus (Santorini's plexus) / vesical plexus ✓

Explanation

The deep dorsal vein of the penis passes under the pubic symphysis through a gap in the perineal membrane and empties into the prostatic venous plexus (plexus of Santorini) in males, which communicates with the vesical plexus and ultimately the internal iliac veins. This route is the principal venous drainage of the erectile tissue of the penis. During radical prostatectomy, division of this deep dorsal venous complex (DVC) is a critical step. In females, the deep dorsal vein of the clitoris drains to the vesical plexus.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.