Measurement of the conduction velocity of the dorsal nerve of the penis.

We describe an orthodromic nerve conduction technique of the dorsal nerve of the penis in 27 normal men. The mean compound nerve action potential was 12.0 plus or minus 6.1 microV. The nerve conduction velocity was 24.4 plus or minus 3.2 milliseconds when the penis was at rest. Gentle stretch of the penis with a 1-pound weight increased the conduction velocity to 33.0 plus or minus 3.8 milliseconds. Since the dorsal nerve of the penis has an important role in erection the new methodology may be useful in the evaluation of male impotence.