Role of the bulbocavernosus muscles on the mechanism of human erection.
The role of the human bulbocavernosus muscles on the intracavernous pressure and on the venous return were investigated during artificial erection. Contractions of these muscles were voluntary or produced by dorsal nerve stimulation. During such contractions, elevations in intracavernous pressure and a decrease in the erectile flow rates to produce and to maintain the erection were observed. These results demonstrate involvement of the bulbocavernosus muscles in the process of penile rigidity and suggest that they could participate in the mechanism of rigidity during intercourse.
Department of Urology and Neurology, University Clinics of Brussels, Hôpital Erasme, Belgium.
E
E
Wespes
M C
MC
Nogueira
A G
AG
Herbaut
M
M
Caufriez
C C
CC
Schulman
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow