Blood supply to the penis
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Blood supply to the penis
Illustration copyright 2002 by Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com
When a man becomes aroused, his brain sends nerve impulses that increase blood flow to his penis. The blood fills the spongy chambers (corpora cavernosa) in the penis, causing it to expand and become rigid. The veins that would normally drain blood from the penis constrict, trapping the blood inside and maintaining the erection.
After ejaculation or when the man is no longer sexually aroused, the arteries narrow, the veins expand, and the blood drains out of the penis. The penis returns to its normal size and is no longer rigid.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology |
| Last Updated | May 21, 2008 |
| Last updated: | May 21, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology |
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