It helps flex the anus, and (in males) stabilize the erect penis or (in females) tense the vagina. Kegel exercises (also known as pelvic floor exercises) can help tone the ischiocavernosus muscle.
Ischiocavernosus compresses the crus penis, and retards the return of the blood through the veins, and thus serves to maintain the organ erect.
Fibers
It arises by tendinous and fleshy fibers from the inner surface of the tuberosity of the ischium, behind the crus penis; and from the rami of the pubis and ischium on either side of the crus.
From these points fleshy fibers succeed, and end in an aponeurosis which is inserted into the sides and under surface of the crus penis.
Additional images
Right hip bone. Internal surface.
Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front.
The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
