Fascia of Colles
The membranous layer of the superficial fascia of the perineum (Colles' fascia) is the deeper layer (membranous layer) of the superficial perineal fascia. It is thin, aponeurotic in structure, and of considerable strength, serving to bind down the muscles of the root of the penis. Colles' fascia emerges from the perineal membrane, which divides the base of the penis from the prostate. Colles' fascia emerges from the inferior side of the perineal membrane and continues along the ventral (inferior) penis without covering the scrotum. It separates the skin and subcutaneous fat from the superficial perineal pouch.
| Fascia of Colles | |
|---|---|
 The perineum. The integument and superficial layer of superficial fascia reflected (deep layer of superficial fascia labeled at center) | |
 Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciae (Colles fascia labeled at bottom center) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | stratum membranosum telae subcutaneae perinei |
| TA98 | A09.5.00.007 |
| TA2 | 3691 |
| FMA | 20419 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Relations
In front, it is continuous with the dartos fascia of the penis and Scarpa's fascia upon the anterior wall of the abdomen;
On either side it is firmly attached to the margins of the rami of the pubis and ischium, lateral to the crus penis and as far back as the tuberosity of the ischium.
Posteriorly, it curves around the superficial transverse perineal muscle to join the lower margin of the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm.
In the middle line, it is connected with the superficial fascia and with the median septum of the bulbospongiosus muscle.
This fascia not only covers the muscles in this region, but at its back part sends upward a vertical septum from its deep surface, which separates the posterior portion of the subjacent space into two.
Additional images
The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 426 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- synd/2155 at Who Named It?
- perineum at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (maleugtriangle1, maleugtrianglesection)
- Anatomy photo:35:03-0100 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Layers of the Superficial Fascia"
