Placing erection in context: The reflexogenic-psychogenic dichotomy reconsidered

摘要: Penile erections are usually classified as arising from "reflexogenic" or "psychogenic" causes. In practice this dichotomy has translated, somewhat circularly, to a distinction between spinal vs. supraspinal mediation, pelvic hypogastric neural and perineal somesthetic stimulation of receptors innervated by the cranial nerves. Evidence for differential regulation erection in different contexts is reviewed. Research ascribing physiological role nerves psychogenic erection, exemplified classic studies cats spinally injured men, suggestive but not compelling. Somewhat stronger evidence that some (e.g., nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) humans touch-stimulated rats) more sensitive androgen levels than other visual erotic stimuli men copulation rats). However, these differences may arise relative erectogenic strength stimuli, rather qualitative sensitivity contexts. More compelling possibility conflicting interpretations dopamine stem large part among laboratories context which evoked. light reviewed, it seems unlikely conventional reflexogenic-psychogenic should be retained, at least its present form. As first step, worth considering reflexive limited stimulation, also include received via Two alternatives standard proposed. The minor revision two senses distinguished: weak, commonly used, sense would resulting any extrinsic nonsomesthetic whether visual, auditory, chemosensory. sense, mutually exclusive. strong memory fantasy. origins both need available consciousness, account apparently spontaneous erections. second alternative taxonomy, contact (somesthetic) noncontact, their action evoking placed on continuum reflexivity. Erectile could then considered orthogonal dimensions. Even without change conduct interpretation research into erectile function expected benefit closer attention similarities species, context-sensitive erection.