Figure 1 - The erection mechanism of the ratite penis

The penis of ostrich (a-c) and emu (d-f). The ostrich penis protrudes from the cloaca during micturition and defecation (a). Its conical structure bends towards the left; the left fibrolymphatic body (l.f.b.) is larger than the right (r.f.b.) (b). The paralymphatic bodies (p.b.) are paired and located under the urodeum, here shown from the ventral aspect (c). The emu penis has a typical spiral shape (d), and the tip of the penis is eversible, with a single spiral (e). The paralymphatic bodies are located under the urodeum (f). * Dorsal aspect of the cloaca. S.s, Sulcus spermaticus. Scale bar: 2 cm. I, intestine; c.m., cloacal muscles.

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Reference

The erection mechanism of the ratite penis - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-penis-of-ostrich-a-c-and-emu-d-f-The-ostrich-penis-protrudes-from-the-cloaca_fig1_235934840 [accessed 17 Mar 2025]

Caption

Figure 1 The penis of ostrich (a-c) and emu (d-f). The ostrich penis protrudes from the cloaca during micturition and defecation (a). Its conical structure bends towards the left; the left fibrolymphatic body (l.f.b.) is larger than the right (r.f.b.) (b). The paralymphatic bodies (p.b.) are paired and located under the urodeum, here shown from the ventral aspect (c). The emu penis has a typical spiral shape (d), and the tip of the penis is eversible, with a single spiral (e). The paralymphatic bodies are located under the urodeum (f). * Dorsal aspect of the cloaca. S.s, Sulcus spermaticus. Scale bar: 2 cm. I, intestine; c.m., cloacal muscles.

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<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-penis-of-ostrich-a-c-and-emu-d-f-The-ostrich-penis-protrudes-from-the-cloaca_fig1_235934840"><img src="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patricia-Brennan-6/publication/235934840/figure/fig1/AS:670015875452931@1536755641195/The-penis-of-ostrich-a-c-and-emu-d-f-The-ostrich-penis-protrudes-from-the-cloaca.png" alt="The penis of ostrich (a-c) and emu (d-f). The ostrich penis protrudes from the cloaca during micturition and defecation (a). Its conical structure bends towards the left; the left fibrolymphatic body (l.f.b.) is larger than the right (r.f.b.) (b). The paralymphatic bodies (p.b.) are paired and located under the urodeum, here shown from the ventral aspect (c). The emu penis has a typical spiral shape (d), and the tip of the penis is eversible, with a single spiral (e). The paralymphatic bodies are located under the urodeum (f). * Dorsal aspect of the cloaca. S.s, Sulcus spermaticus. Scale bar: 2 cm. I, intestine; c.m., cloacal muscles."/></a>