Advertisement
Man
Male body cm x cm
Life stages
Top questions
Your Health
Your Body
Your Sexuality
Your Mind
Your Life
  Poll
Sex addiction
Is sex addiction for real?
You are in: Health24 > Man > Graphics
 
DO THIS:TEST/QUIZ YOURSELFGREAT GUIDESI WANT TO...
 Graphics

Physiology of the erection: cross-section

An erection begins with sensory and mental stimulation. Impulses from the brain travelling down the spinal column and impulses from the nerves in the penis relax smooth muscles in two spongy cylinders that run the length of the penis, parallel to the urethra (the conduit for urine and semen).

When the impulses cause the muscles to relax, blood flows into spaces in the spongy tissue, and this pressure makes the penis swell out. A membrane surrounding the cylinders helps to trap the blood in the penis and maintain the erection.

The penis returns to its flaccid state if the muscles contract, stopping the inflow of blood and opening outflow channels.
 
Advertisement

 
Print this article
 Rate this article
Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

 
Previous article: Next article:
Physiology of the erection Male reproductive anatomy
Sign up
 *Daily tip
 Newsletter
 Special offers
*Stand a chance to win R1000 every month!
 OTHER ARTICLES
Getting an erection
Physiology of the erection
Physiology of the erection: cross-section
Male reproductive anatomy
The spread of H5N1 Avian Influenza
Major flyways of migratory birds
Garfield
The HI-virus attacks a CD4 cell
Epilepsy explained
Malaria Map
Live world population growth chart
Looking through a diseased eye
Penis size per country
Causes of ED
The sex addiction cycle
How to remove a ring
[fasfacts]
 

Advertisement

 Sponsored links
Car Insurance
Life Insurance
Insurance for Women
Selfmed Med Aid
Clicks Health
Stop Smoking
Restore your Balance
Spec-Savers
 Health24 links
Click here to win!
Disease info
Our newsletters
Subscribe to our daily health tip and win R1000!
Start your own health blog
Visit the New Parent24 Website
Health of The Nation Survey results




H24 HOME   About us     Contact us     Syndicate our Content     Advertise on Health24     Advertising policy     Privacy policy      
© Health24 2000-2010. All rights reserved   

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.