The anatomy, physiology and molecular pathways of vascular erectile dysfunction.
Vascular erectile dysfunction (VED) is composed of penile arterial insufficiency and veno-occlusive dysfunction. Both the arterial and venous dysfunctions are associated with cellular and molecular abnormalities. The goal of this work is to provide a summary of the gross anatomical and physiological abnormalities associated with VED and a theory of how these abnormalities result in VED based on the known molecular mechanism in cavernosal tissue and non-penile vascular tissue.
Vickers
M
M
Surgical Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus, Maine, USA. vickers@gwi.net
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels
D015220:Calcium Channels; D019332:Endothelin-1; D015221:Potassium Channels; D000804:Angiotensin II; D009569:Nitric Oxide