The bulbospongiosus surrounds the bulb of the penis in males or encircles the vaginal orifice as a functional sphincter in females. In males it compresses the bulbourethral glands and propels the last drops of urine and semen from the urethra. The bulbospongiosus is assessed during pudendal nerve function testing and is a target muscle in pelvic floor physiotherapy for vaginismus.
| Origin | Male: perineal body and median raphe of the bulb of the penis. Female: perineal body, encircling the vaginal orifice |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Male: corpus spongiosum and fascia of the bulb. Female: corpora cavernosa of the clitoris |
| Nerve Supply | Perineal branch of the pudendal nerve (S2, S3, S4) |
| Blood Supply | Perineal artery |
| Actions | Male: compresses the bulb of the penis to assist erection and propels semen/urine from the urethra; Female: constricts the vaginal orifice (functional sphincter), assists clitoral erection; Both sexes: rhythmic contraction during orgasm |
|---|
Vaginismus (involuntary bulbospongiosus and levator ani contraction preventing vaginal penetration) is treated with progressive desensitisation using dilators and pelvic floor physiotherapy targeting the bulbospongiosus and superficial perineal muscles.
The bulbospongiosus is assessed by palpation at the posterior vaginal fourchette or along the perineal raphe in males during pelvic floor evaluation.
Involuntary bulbospongiosus hypertonicity preventing vaginal penetration managed with pelvic floor physiotherapy and progressive desensitisation.
