Neurophysiology of penile erection

In 6 dogs and 6 monkeys electrical stimulation of the cavernous, pudendal and hypogastric nerve was performed to gain better understanding of the erectile neurophysiology. Arterial flow, intracorporeal pressure and venous restriction studies during single and combined neurostimulation demonstrated t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inUrological research Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 213
Main Authors Jünemann, K P, Persson-Jünemann, C, Tanagho, E A, Alken, P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.01.1989
Subjects
Animals
Blood Pressure
Dogs
Electric Stimulation
Haplorhini
Male
Parasympathetic Nervous System - physiology
Penile Erection
Penis - blood supply
Penis - innervation
Penis - physiology
Regional Blood Flow
Sympathetic Nervous System - physiology
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Summary:In 6 dogs and 6 monkeys electrical stimulation of the cavernous, pudendal and hypogastric nerve was performed to gain better understanding of the erectile neurophysiology. Arterial flow, intracorporeal pressure and venous restriction studies during single and combined neurostimulation demonstrated that initiation and maintenance of erection is a parasympathetic phenomenon. Penile rigidity however, could only be achieved with additional pudendal nerve stimulation resulting in muscular compression of the blood distended cavernous bodies. Detumescence or subsidence of erection is primarily under sympathetic control, due to inhibition of sinusoidal smooth muscle relaxation. On the basis of our observations we conclude that penile erection is dependent upon three neurophysiological mechanisms: 1. the parasympathetic "vascular mechanism", the somatomotor "muscular mechanism" and the sympathetic "inhibitory mechanism".
ISSN:0300-5623
DOI:10.1007/BF00262595