Corpus: Perineal artery

The perineal artery is a branch of the internal pudendal artery that supplies parts of the perineal region.

After branching off from the internal pudendal artery, the perineal artery crosses over or under the deep transverse perineal muscle and runs forward. It follows the pubic branch and is positioned between the bulbospongiosus muscle and the ischiocavernosus muscle, giving off smaller branches to these muscles. Further along, it divides into several branches that supply the scrotum (posterior scrotal branches in men) or labia majora (posterior labial branches in women). Where it crosses the superficial transverse perineal muscle, it also gives off a smaller branch to this muscle.

• Posterior scrotal branches (in men)
• Posterior labial branches (in women)
• Muscular branches

The branches of the perineal artery anastomose with the inferior rectal artery and the corresponding vessels on the opposite side.

The perineal artery supplies the perineal region between the anus and the external genitalia in both sexes. In men, it also supplies the bulbospongiosus muscle, the ischiocavernosus muscle, the superficial transverse perineal muscle, the skin of the scrotum, and parts of the tunica dartos. In women, it provides blood to the labia majora.