Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

hard-on

 
Dictionary: hard-on   (härd'ŏn', -ôn')
n. Vulgar Slang
An erection of the penis.


Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Idioms: hard on
Top


1.  Also, hard upon, hard by. In close proximity, as in The police were hard on the heels of the thieves, or It was hard upon three o'clock, or Their house is hard by ours. The variants are used less than hard on. [Second half of 1700s]
2.  be hard on. Deal severely with, cause damage to. For example, He asked the teacher not to be too hard on those who forgot the assignment, or That cat has really been hard on the upholstery. [Second half of 1600s] Also see hard time, def. 2.


Wikipedia: Erection
Top
An uncircumcised penis semi-erect with foreskin unretracted (left) and erect with foreskin retracted (right)

Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal. Penile erection can also occur due to a full urinary bladder. In some males, erection can occur spontaneously at any time of day, and is known as nocturnal penile tumescence when occurring during REM sleep.

Contents

Physiology

Penile erection occurs when two tubular structures that run the length of the penis, the corpora cavernosa, become engorged with venous blood. This may result from any of various physiological stimuli, also known as sexual stimulation and sexual arousal. The corpus spongiosum is a single tubular structure located just below the corpora cavernosa, which contains the urethra, through which urine and semen pass during urination and ejaculation, respectively. This may also become slightly engorged with blood, but less so than the corpora cavernosa.

During sexual activity

A circumcised penis flaccid (left) and erect (right)

The swelling, hardening and enlargement of the penis enables sexual intercourse. The scrotum may also become tightened during an erection. Erection is not required for all sexual activities.

After a male has ejaculated during a sexual encounter or masturbation, the erection usually ends, but this may take time depending on the length and thickness of the penis.[1]

Autonomic control

In the presence of mechanical stimulation, erection is initiated by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with minimal input from the central nervous system. Parasympathetic branches extend from the sacral plexus into the arteries supplying the erectile tissue; upon stimulation, these nerve branches initiate the release of nitric oxide, a vasodilating agent, in the target arteries. The arteries dilate, filling the corpora spongiosum and cavernosa with blood. Erection subsides when parasympathetic stimulation is discontinued; baseline stimulation from the sympathetic division of the ANS causes constriction of the penile arteries, forcing blood out of the erectile tissue.[2] The cerebral cortex can initiate erection in the absence of direct mechanical stimulation (in response to visual, auditory, olfactory, imagined, or tactile stimuli) acting through erectile centers in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spinal cord. The cortex can suppress erection even in the presence of mechanical stimulation, as can other psychological, emotional, and environmental factors. The opposite term is detumescence.

Shape and size

An erect penis can take on a number of different shapes and angles, ranging from a straight tube angled at a 45-90 degree angle, to a curvature to the left or right, up or down. An increase in penile curvature can be caused by Peyronie's disease. This may cause physical and psychological effects for the affected individual, which could include erectile dysfunction or pain during erection. Treatments include oral medication (such as Vitamin E) or surgery, which is most often reserved as a last resort.

Generally, the size of an erect penis is fixed throughout post-pubescent life. Its size may be increased by surgery,[3] although penile enlargement is controversial, and a majority of men were "not satisfied" with the results, according to one study.[4]

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (also known as ED or '(male) impotence') is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection.[5][6] The study of erectile dysfunction within medicine is known as andrology, a sub-field within urology.[7]

Erectile dysfunction can occur due to both physiological and psychological reasons, most of which are amenable to treatment. Common physiological reasons include cardiovascular leakage and diabetes. Some drugs used to treat other conditions, such as lithium and paroxetine, may cause erectile dysfunction.[6][8] The maintenance of the erect penis is required for ejaculation,[citation needed] an important aspect of reproduction.

Erectile dysfunction, tied closely as it is to cultural notions of potency, success and masculinity, can have devastating psychological consequences including feelings of shame, loss or inadequacy;[9] There is a strong culture of silence and inability to discuss the matter. In fact, around 1 in 10 men will experience recurring impotence problems at some point in their lives.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Harris, Robie H. (et al.), It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex And Sexual Health. Boston, 1994. (ISBN 1-56402-199-8)
  2. ^ Drake, Richard, Wayne Vogl and Adam Mitchell, Grey's Anatomy for Students. Philadelphia, 2004. (ISBN 0-443-06612-4)
  3. ^ Li CY, Kayes O, Kell PD, Christopher N, Minhas S, Ralph DJ (2006). "Penile suspensory ligament division for penile augmentation: indications and results". Eur. Urol. 49 (4): 729–33. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2006.01.020. PMID 16473458. 
  4. ^ "Most Men Unsatisfied With Penis Enlargement Results". Fox News. 2006-02-16. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185156,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-17. 
  5. ^ Milsten, Richard (et al.), The Sexual Male. Problems And Solutions. London, 2000. (ISBN 0-393-32127-4)
  6. ^ a b Sadeghipour H, Ghasemi M, Ebrahimi F, Dehpour AR (2007). "Effect of lithium on endothelium-dependent and neurogenic relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum: role of nitric oxide pathway". Nitric Oxide 16 (1): 54–63. doi:10.1016/j.niox.2006.05.004. PMID 16828320. 
  7. ^ Williams, Warwick, It's Up To You: Overcoming Erection Problems. London, 1989. (ISBN 0-7225-1915-X)
  8. ^ Sadeghipour H, Ghasemi M, Nobakht M, Ebrahimi F, Dehpour AR (2007). "Effect of chronic lithium administration on endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum: the role of nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase pathways". BJU Int. 99 (1): 177–82. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06530.x. PMID 17034495. 
  9. ^ Tanagho, Emil A. (et al.), Smith's General Urology. London, 2000. (ISBN 0-8385-8607-4)
  10. ^ NHS Direct - Health encyclopaedia -Erectile dysfunction


Shopping: hard-on
Top
 
 
Learn More
steely
hard (Idiom)
Fitzpatrick, Margaret M. (Quotes By)

What is As hard as a? Read answer...
Why was it hard? Read answer...
What is a hardness? Read answer...

Help us answer these
How can you be hard to get?
How do you hard?
Is you hard?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Erection" Read more