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What Is the Bulbocavernosus?
The bulbocavernosus is one of the perineum muscles in the human body. It is a superficial part of the muscular system, meaning it resides near the surface of the body. The bulbocavernosus in men is somewhat different than the muscle in women, but in both sexes it ensures waste is disposed from the urethra. Bulbocavernosus is the more traditional name of the muscle; later medical texts refer to the muscle as the bulbospongiosus.
In males, the muscle is located around the bulb of the penis, which is centered near the base of the organ. In females, the muscle is situated around the vestibular bulb in the internal part of the clitoris. The bulbocavernosus of both sexes is positioned in the center of the perineum and in front of the anus. It is comprised of two symmetrical sections united along a center line. The muscle contains an offshoot of the perineal nerve, which is itself an offshoot of the pundendal nerve, making it a vital muscle in experiencing sexual pleasure.
The muscle fibers of the bulbocavernosus are divergent and do not run parallel to one another. Their exact arrangement can be compared to the fine barbs of a feather. The fibers are positioned in a series of layers. The outermost layer is very thin, and the middle layers envelop either the penile or vestibular bulb.
The muscle plays an important role in the sexual functions of both sexes. In men, the muscle aids in maintaining an erection, facilitating healthy ejaculation, and intensifying orgasms. The front part of the bulbocavernosus narrows during an erection and exerts pressure on the deep dorsal vein of the penis, which aids in sustaining the erection. The nerves in the muscle are then stimulated by the movement of the penis.
In women, the muscle helps achieve a clitoral erection and increases the pleasure of orgasms. As in males, the conglomerations of nerves in the muscle are aroused by the appropriate movements, heightening sensation and pleasurable feelings. The bulbocavernosus also serves to close and clench the vagina.
Immediately after a member of either sex relieves his or her bladder, urine will still reside in the canal of the urethra. The fibers of the bulbocavernosus are involved in eliminating urine from this region. During urination, the fibers of the muscle are relatively inactive. Only toward the end of the process do the fibers move into action, ejecting lingering waste from the urethra canal.
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![In women, the bulbocavernosus helps to achieve clitoral erection.]()
By: isysteIn women, the bulbocavernosus helps to achieve clitoral erection. -
![The bulbocavernosus is a vital muscle for experiencing sexual pleasure for both men and women.]()
By: Ivan MonteroThe bulbocavernosus is a vital muscle for experiencing sexual pleasure for both men and women. -
![In males, the bulbocavernosus is located around the bulb of the penis, which is located near the base of the organ.]()
By: tomschoumakersIn males, the bulbocavernosus is located around the bulb of the penis, which is located near the base of the organ. -
![The fibers of the bulbocavernosus are involved in the elimination of urine from the canal of the urethra.]()
By: pankajstock123The fibers of the bulbocavernosus are involved in the elimination of urine from the canal of the urethra.
Discussion Comments
@irontoenail - Don't forget that Kegel exercises are also performed by people who don't have children and aren't planning on them any time soon. They can increase pleasure during sex and tighten vagina muscles.
And men can do them too! I actually didn't know that for a long time, but they basically have almost the same muscle structures down there that women do. And doing Kegel exercises can help with erections and do various other things, as well as helping with incontinence like they do with women.
Basically it just overall seems like the kind of thing everyone should be doing to enhance their quality of life.
@indigomoth - You can also do Kegel exercises (also known as pelvic floor exercises) after childbirth in order to help tighten the area up. Sometimes women have trouble with incontinence after giving birth and exercising your PC muscles can help a lot.
Another way of doing it is to use special beads that you can get online. It seems kind of kinky, but it will help to tone up the muscles down there and stop you from having to deal with the nuisance and embarrassment of incontinence.
Don't feel ashamed about it, because it happens to a lot of women. But don't put up with it either. Go and see a doctor about it and try these exercises.
The bulbocavernosus muscle is one of the muscles you can exercise by performing Kegel exercises.
If you want to know how to do Kegel exercises, they are actually pretty easy to do and are really good for helping you to increase your strength for childbirth.
As the article mentions, the perineum muscles are used for urinating as well. The easiest way to exercise them is to clench as though you are stopping yourself from urinating. Hold the clench for a count of ten and then release.
The best thing is that you can do them pretty much anywhere as no one can tell that you're doing them. I think they teach them at birthing classes as well, but you can practice them yourself.
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