Fluid-structure interaction: Advances on erectile functionality

Abstract

In this work the interaction between the blood and the penile structures was treated in order to have an insight into erectile functionality. Coital consummation and, maybe, its concomitant tendency to procreate is only attainable when there exists a fluid-structure synergy. Remarkably, hemodynamic influence is the basis of the behaviour of the penile ‘utensils’ towards such consummation. The blood flow that induces penile engorgement that precedes vaginal intromission results in both tunical and vascular deformation, as was shown theoretically in this paper. The equations that govern blood flow and those that govern the penile structures’ response are derived. One of the results is the equation that furnishes the axial length of a penile shaft under axial displacement by using some tunical characteristics. Of much interest in erectile functionality is the concept of penile buckling. This was given attention here. Contrary to some insinuations occasioned by the treatment of the penile ‘shaft’ as a column subjected to axially compressive force that buckles under further application of a force, which was reported here, this work sees penile tissue detumescence resulting from the withdrawal of a force as the basis of penile axial buckling.