Penile vascular cushions and erection.
Penile intimal cushions in the arteries and veins of five adults and one newborn were studied. In adults, they were present in approximately one-third of the muscular vessels seen on a single cross-section. No cushions were found in the newborn penis. We postulate that cushions play only a passive role in erection. Theories as to their pathogenesis are presented and the concept of linear stress as an adaptive agency is favored.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply; D010413:Penis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology