A 28-year-old man hears a cracking sound during vigorous intercourse, followed by sudden pain, rapid detumescence and marked penile swelling and curvature. On examination there is a palpable defect over the shaft and the penis is deviated away from the swollen side. Which structure is characteristically injured along with the corpus cavernosum?
- A Corpus spongiosum in all cases
- B Suspensory ligament of the penis
- C Tunica albuginea ✓
- D Buck fascia, always producing butterfly bruising
Correct answer: C. Tunica albuginea
Explanation
Penile fracture is rupture of the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum during forced bending of the erect penis, classically with an audible crack, immediate detumescence, swelling and deformity (eggplant appearance). Early surgical exploration and repair gives the best functional outcomes. Buck fascia breach changes the bruising pattern to involve the scrotum and perineum, so butterfly bruising occurs only when Buck fascia is torn, making option D wrong. The corpus spongiosum and urethra are involved in a minority of cases only.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.