[Arterial factors in the mechanism of penile erection]

Hemodynamic study of the penis in diagnosis of erectile impotence is thought essential because many investigators have obtained evidence for involvement of vascular affections in the mechanisms of somatogenic erectile disturbances in 70-80% of the cases. The authors have assessed arterial and venous phases of penile hemodynamics in healthy males at rest and erection (28 subjects aged 24-56) and in 37 patients with functional sex disturbances aged 21-43. It was found that erection is maintained not only in participation of deep penile arteries, but also dorsal ones. This is also confirmed by synchronous changes in a.a. dorsalis et profunda penis circulation in response to sexual stimulation. However, more expanded network of arteriovenous anastomoses in the system of dorsal arteries makes hemodynamic changes in the course of erection less pronounced than in deep penile arteries. No hemodynamic alterations in the system of common iliac arteries during erection confirmed autonomic pattern of the processes running in penile vascular system.