Mechanism of Erection: How the Male Genital Works

The physiological explanation for the mechanics of erection is simple. There are only two mechanisms that are involved in erection namely increased blood inflow and decreased blood outflow. Initially, erection is triggered upon the functioning of physiological stimuli. It starts with the libido function which is directly happening in the cerebral cortex. This is the sexual urge that makes a man feel the need for sex. When the libido arises, an impulse is sent to the spinal center which is then sent to the penis nerves.

The blood inflow mechanism of erection starts right after the impulse is sent to the penis nerves. When the penis nerve endings receive the impulse, arterioles dilate as the smooth muscles relax. Because of this relaxation that occurs in the muscles, the spaces in the corpora nervosa, the chambers in the penis, are filled in. When these spaces are completely filled in, the space is no longer big enough to accommodate the blood flow, thus expansion follows.

The blood outflow mechanism of erection starts upon copulation. Copulation is also called sexual intercourse. This takes place when the penis finally enters the vagina. This act continues until the ejaculation and orgasm is attained. Ejaculation and orgasm is reached by the continuous friction between the vaginal mucosa and penis glands. The friction is reinforced by the stimulation of psychogenic factors to discharge sperm from the sympathetic pathway to the seminal pathway. When the sperm reaches the seminal pathway, it is led to the posterior urethra by the blood flow. The brain sends impulses again to the muscles and this signifies the end of the copulation because by the time the impulses were received by the penis nerves, orgasm is reached. After orgasm and ejaculation are reached, the discharge resumes and once again, the expanded muscles go back to their normal size as they contract and the blood that comes from the sinusoidal spaces is flowed out of the muscles.

When the above mechanism of erection is disrupted at anytime of the process, orgasm and ejaculation is reached. Continuous events of disruption may totally damage the nerves in the penis and this will result to impotence or erectile dysfunction.

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