Summary
The physiologic basis of erection is yet to be clear. Recently, we were able to identify the cavernous nerves which are responsible for erection. Using electroerection in the monkey, we were able to study the physiologic changes that occur during erection and detumescence. Basically, erection is a result of: (1) active relaxation of sinusoidal spaces in the corpora cavernosa, (2) active arteriolar dilatation, and (3) active venous constriction. On the contrary, detumescence is a passive phenomenon.
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Lue, T.F., Zeineh, S.J., Schmidt, R.A. et al. Physiology of penile erection. World J Urol 1, 194–196 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326801
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326801