The penis as a vascular organ. The importance of corporal smooth muscle tone in the control of erection

Abstract

The intrinsic biological complexity of penile erection and the multifaceted nature of erectile dysfunction are just beginning to be fully appreciated. This article describes how mechanistic studies of the local control of penile erection, with specific emphasis on the primary role of the corporal smooth muscle, contribute to the improved understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of erectile dysfunction.