Search

Harvestmen penises are intromittent structures surprisingly complex and diverse, making it difficult to imagine that the sole function of the penis is sperm transfer. Knowledge of penis morphology in harvestmen is largely derived from taxonomic works. Therefore, we have a considerable amount of information regarding genital structures, but relatively little is known about their movements and functions. Yet, in the case female genitalia, there is an even deeper gap on the understanding of the morphology and its functional features. Female genitalia are commonly neglected due to the assumption that they are not a valuable source of information for taxonomy. In this scenario of fragmented morphological knowledge, complete and accurate descriptions of male and female genitalia are highly desirable, and are essential to understanding the functional morphology of copulatory organs in Phalangida. Our study improves upon the original genitalia descriptions (ovipositor and penis) for two Chilean Triaenonychidae species ( Triaenonychoides cekalovici and Triaenonychoides breviops ) and provides corrections to several original mistakes and misinterpretation. In addition, we report here that T. cekalovici was described based on the morphology of an everted penis, illustrate and compare penises in the resting and everted state, and describe for the first time the mechanical eversion of the penis' glans . Through mechanical system the muscular penis type can execute a remarkably complicated movement resulting in eversion of the glans . The contraction of the muscle connected to the rounded basis of the ventral plate (via the tendon) is responsible for the ventral scrolling of the ventral plate and this in turn triggers the eversion of the capsula interna . We predict that this elongation is necessary during genital coupling, for positioning the stylus closer to the seminal receptacles area. Depositing the sperm closer to the seminal receptacles can be a decisive advantage, considering that in harvestmen the spermatozoa are immobile. We also suggest that this process of glans' muscular mechanical eversion could be widespread among Triaenonychidae and that the knowledge of functional morphology is relevant for taxonomic purposes, as this is probably not the only case of taxonomic description based on an everted genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical term that describes the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erect penis adequate for sexual function. This condition is one of the most common sexual problems for men and increases with age, but it's not a natural part of ageing. Approximately one half of men aged 40 years and older have erection problems. Most men have difficulty achieving an erection from time to time, and such occurrences are considered normal. However, ED may be a regular and more severe problem in some men. It can cause low self-esteem, performance anxiety, depression and stress, and may also affect the quality of a marriage or intimate relationships. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, participating in more exercise, stopping smoking and minimising the risk of heart disease, may help to improve the condition. The introduction of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors has revolutionised the treatment of ED. Surgery may be considered when these inhibitors and other approaches fail or are contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We assessed variability in interpreting noninvasive measurements of bladder pressure and urine flow between experienced and novice users of the penile cuff. Materials and Methods: Urodynamicists at 6 sites were asked to use the penile cuff test as part of clinical assessment in 30 men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. After a short training period they measured maximum flow rate and cuff interruption pressure from penile cuff test recordings to enable categorization of bladder outlet obstruction using a nomogram. Similar measurements were then made on the same traces by 2 expert observers from the originating center. Interobserver differences were assessed. Results: Complete agreement on obstruction categorization was seen in 77% of subjects, which increased to 86% when plots positioned on category boundary lines were allocated to the favored category. The 95% confidence limits of interobserver variability in maximum flow rate and cuff interruption pressure measurements were ± 1.7 ml per second and ± 13 cm H2O, respectively, although a small number of studies yielded discrepancies between observers that were larger than expected. They arose from complex recordings but were equally likely between experts as between expert and novice. Investigation of the causes suggested in some cases how such discrepancies may be avoided in the future. Conclusions: The excellent level of agreement in measurement and categorization after a short training period suggests that introducing the penile cuff test as part of assessment in men with lower urinary tract symptoms would be straightforward. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Restoration of sensation in the penis may contribute importantly to quality of life of spina bifida (SB) and traumatic spinal lesion (TSL) patients. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the outcome of a new operative neurological bypass procedure. Material and methods: Twenty-four patients (17 SB and 7 TSL, 13-42 yrs, spinal lesion below L1) with no sensation of their glans-penis but good sensation in the groin area were selected. The sensory ilioinguinal nerve (L1) was cut distally in the groin and anastomosed by microneurorraphy to the ipsilateral dorsal nerve of the penis, (S2-4). All patients had pre and postoperative neurological and psychological evaluations. Results: Twelve months postoperatively, 21 patients gained excellent sensation in the glans, which was first experienced “as if the groin was being touched”. In 8 patients this “groin” sensation transformed into “glans-penis sensation” and gained erogenous quality resulting in more meaningful and -frequent masturbation and sexual activities. All were unequivocally positive about the results and their penis had become more integrated in their body image. Conclusions: The neurological bypass procedure in low spinal lesion patients resulted in excellent tactile- and in one third of the patients erogenous sensibility in the glans penis. The new sensation appeared to contribute to the quality of the patients'' sexuality, sexual functioning, and their quality of life. This new operation might become standard treatment for low spinal lesion patients in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]