Physiology of Erection and Pathophysiology of Erectile Dysfunction

Susan M MacDonald; Arthur L Burnett

doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2021.06.009

Physiology of Erection and Pathophysiology of Erectile Dysfunction

Urol Clin North Am. 2021 Nov;48(4):513-525. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2021.06.009.

Authors

Susan M MacDonald¹, Arthur L Burnett²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Urology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Mail Code H055, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Electronic address: smacdonald@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
² James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Marburg 407, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

PMID: 34602172
DOI: 10.1016/j.ucl.2021.06.009

Abstract

The science of penile erection, including recent advances in its molecular physiology and neuroanatomic pathways, is described. The pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction is presented, acknowledging associated disease states, and accordingly follows a practical classification scheme: vasculogenic, neurogenic, endocrine, and psychogenic.

Keywords: Erectile dysfunction; Erection; Impotence; Pathophysiology; Physiology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
Erectile Dysfunction / physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Penile Erection / physiology*