Erection and detumescence
Erection is a phenomenon that occurs through two processes: one neurological and one vascular. Simultaneously, these processes are modulated by psychological and hormonal factors.
When there is sexual stimulus, nerve impulses induce the release of hormonal signals that cause relaxation of the penile arteries, resulting in increased blood flow into the penis.
At the same time, there is an increase in the distensibility of a group of small blood vessels known as the “sinusoidal system”. Then, when the system is filled with blood generates an elevated pressure environment that occludes the venous plexuses and impedes the outflow of blood.
In this way the blood gets trapped inside a pair of structures located along the upper part of the penis called ¨cavernous bodies¨. These contain irregular spaces where blood is stored, allowing the penis to move from a flaccid position to an erect one, known as: Full erection phase.
During masturbation or sexual intercourse, the contraction of the muscles compresses the base of the blood-filled penis whereby the corpora cavernosa “decrease its capacity” making the penis even more rigid with a much higher intracavernous pressure. This phase, known as the “Rigid erection phase” is the moment in which the inflow and outflow of blood temporarily ceases.
Finally, detumescence occurs as a result of a cessation of hormonal signals and a nervous discharge during ejaculation. At this point the veins reopen, the trapped blood is expelled, and flaccidity returns.
References:
-Fisiología de la erección/ Physiology of erection .Juan I. Martínez-Salamanca, Claudio Martínez-Ballesteros, Luis Portillo, Sonia Gabancho, Ignacio Moncada1 y Joaquín Carballido. Madrid-España Documento en línea. Disponible: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-06142010000800003. 2010
– NO LE TENGA MIEDO AL DEDO Todo lo que un hombre debe saber sobre su próstata. Segunda edición actualizada DOCTOR RENÉ SOTELO N. Edición corporativa VINMA SC, 2011
-Pene. Marcell Laguna DDS. Documento en línea. Disponible: https://www.kenhub.com/es/library/anatomia-es/pene. 2023
