Which of the following statements best captures an aspect of the neural control of sexual function?
A) The sensory system contained in the testes communicates with the spinal cord by way of afferent pathways.
B) Perineal stimulation transmits signals to the thalamus and hypothalamus.
C) The spinal cord plays a central role, with the limbic system and cerebral cortex also contributing.
D) Sympathetic stimulation causes the shunting of blood resulting in erection, while parasympathetic stimulation results in detumescence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Afferent impulses from sensory receptors in the glans penis pass through the pudendal nerve to ascending fibers in the spinal cord by way of the sacral plexus, while stimulation of other perineal areas can transmit signals to higher brain centers, such as the limbic system and cerebral cortex. The thalamus and hypothalamus do not play a central role in the neural control of male sexual function, and arousal can result from parasympathetic stimulation.

Which of the Following Statements Best Captures an Aspect of the Neural