Lecture 47 - Spinal Cord Injury and Sexuality

Question 1

Match the following terms describing the location of the cell bodies and the nervous system division they belong to:

Thoracolumbar

Cervicosacral

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

Answer 1

Sympathetic –> thoracolumbar

Parasymp –> cervicosacral

Question 2

Parasympathetic Outputs travel via the ____ nerves and _______ plexus to innervate the Corpora Cavernosa of the penis (Erection).

Answer 2

Pelvic nerves

Hypogastric Plexus

Question 3

Sympathetic outputs travel from cell bodies in the IML at the _____-_____ level via the Inferior _______ ganglion and _______ plexus to innervate muscles responsible for Ejaculation and tissues responsible for Prostatic and Seminal vesicle secretions.

Answer 3

T-12-L2 level

Inferior Mesenteric Ganglion

Hypogastric Plexus

Question 4

Sensory input from the genitals travels via the ______ nerve which enters the spinal cord at the ____-____ level.

Answer 4

Pudendal Nerve

S2-S4

Question 5

How would a lesion in the Mid Thoracic level affect erections differently than a lesion in the Sacral, conus, or cauda equina level?

Answer 5

At the mid thoracic level, there would be loss of Sympathetic function –> Loss of Psychogenic erection with preserved Reflex erection.

At the Sacral, conus, or cauda equina levels, Parasympathetic function is lost –> Loss of both Psychogenic and Reflex (more so reflex).

Question 6

For females, lesions at levels above _____ will result in Loss of Psychogenic arousal only (reflex preserved). Lesions at _____-_____ will result in loss of BOTH psychogenic and reflex. Lesions below _____ result in loss of Reflex only (Psychogenic preserved).

Answer 6

T9

T10-T12

T12

Question 7

______ is the neurotransmitter primarily involved in Erection. Antagonists (i.e. Antipsychotics) cause erectile dysfunction. Also, _______ levels increase bc of dopamine blockade.

Answer 7

Dopamine

Prolactin

Question 8

Norepi is involved with generating erections, ejaculation, and orgasm. Norepi binding which receptors facilitates these and binding to which receptors inhibits these?

Answer 8

Beta –> facilitates

Alpha –> inhibits

Question 9

Serotonin helps facilitate ejaculation and orgasm, so antidepressants can inhibit orgasm in both men and women. _______ is an antidepressant that causes Priapism.

Answer 9

Trazodone

Question 10

Anticholinergic drugs would have what effect on vaginal lubrication during arousal?

Answer 10

Decrease