Skip to main content
Log in

Physiology of penile erection

  • Published:
World Journal of Urology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bochdolek V (1954) Ergebnisse über einen bis jetzt übersehenen Teil des Erektionsapparates, des Penis und der Clitoris. Vierteljahresschr Prakt Heilkd 43:115

    Google Scholar 

  2. Waldeyer W (1899) Das Becken. In: Joessel G (ed) Lehrbuch der topographisch-chirurgischen Anatomie, pt. 2. Cohen, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  3. Shirai M, Ischii N, Mitsukwa S, Matsuda S, Nakamaru M (1978) Hemodynamic mechanism of erection in the human penis. Arch Androl 1:345

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dorr L, Brody M (1967) Hemodynamic mechanism of erection in the canine penis. Am J Physiol 213:1526

    Google Scholar 

  5. Newman HF, Northrup JD, Devlin J (1964) Mechanism of human penile erection. Invest Urol 1:350

    Google Scholar 

  6. Deysach LJ (1939) The comparative morphology of the erectile tissue of the penis with special emphasis on the probable mechanism of erection. Am J Anat 64:111

    Google Scholar 

  7. Conti G (1952) L'érection du penis humain et ses bases morphologico-vasculaires. Acta Anat 5:217

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wagner G, Uhrenholdt A (1980) Blood flow by clearance in the human corpus cavernosum in the flaccid and erect states. In: Zorgniotti A, Ross G (eds) Vasculogenic impotence. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization. Thomas, Springfield, Ill, p 41

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ebbehøj J, Uhrenholdt A, Wagner G (1980) Infusion cavernosography in the human in the unstimulated and stimulated situations and its diagnostic value. In: Zorgniotti A, Ross G (eds) Vasculogenic impotence. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization. Thomas, Springfield, Ill, p 191

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326801

Keywords

Navigation