Post-injection, which statement best describes deep dorsal venous flow?

Post-injection, which statement best describes deep dorsal venous flow?

• A. Normal flow <3 cm/s
• B. Moderate increase 10-20 cm/s
• C. Markedly increased >20 cm/s
• D. No flow change

Answer: (A)

In a pharmacologically induced erection, arterial inflow rises while venous outflow is suppressed to maintain rigidity. The deep dorsal vein is one pathway for venous drainage, and during erection the tunica albuginea and the engorged corpora cavernosa compress venous channels, markedly reducing venous outflow. Because of this venous occlusion, the flow in the deep dorsal vein remains very low, typically less than 3 cm/s. This low velocity reflects the normal physiological venous restraint during an erection. If the velocity were much higher, it would suggest venous leakage and an inability to maintain erection; if there were no change from baseline, that would not fit the expected post-injection hemodynamics.

In a pharmacologically induced erection, arterial inflow rises while venous outflow is suppressed to maintain rigidity. The deep dorsal vein is one pathway for venous drainage, and during erection the tunica albuginea and the engorged corpora cavernosa compress venous channels, markedly reducing venous outflow. Because of this venous occlusion, the flow in the deep dorsal vein remains very low, typically less than 3 cm/s. This low velocity reflects the normal physiological venous restraint during an erection. If the velocity were much higher, it would suggest venous leakage and an inability to maintain erection; if there were no change from baseline, that would not fit the expected post-injection hemodynamics.