Editing Normal Erectile Physiology (section)

==== Autonomic ====
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Parasympathetic</span> ('''lateral horns '''<span style="color:#ff0000">S2-S4</span>)'''
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Responsible for tumescence</span>''' '''(increasing rigidity)'''
** The parasympathetic preganglionic fibers pass in the pelvic splanchnic nerves to the inferior hypogastric plexus (also known as the pelvic plexus)
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Sympathetic</span> ('''lateral horns '''<span style="color:#ff0000">T10-L2</span>)[https://www.nature.com/articles/3901188]'''
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Responsible for detumescence</span>''' '''(decreasing rigidity)'''
** The lumbar sympathetics from the superior hypogastric plexus (in older texts, hypogastric plexus or presacral nerve) travel to the inferior hypogastric plexus via the hypogastric nerve
** The sympathetic postganglionic fibers pass in the sacral splanchnic nerves from the sympathetic chain to the inferior hypogastric plexus
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves merge in the inferior hypogastric/pelvic plexus to form the paired cavernous nerves, which enter the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum and innervate the penis</span>'''
** '''Clinical implication: nerve-sparing prostatectomy aims to avoid injury to the cavernous nerves.'''