Microstructural disorders of tunica albuginea in patients affected by impotence.

The role played by the tunica albuginea in the erection mechanism seems to be very significant in promoting the constriction of sub-albugineal venous reticulum and trans-albugineal effluent veins, as well as providing an inextensible protective structure to the arteriolae and to the intracavernous nerves. The passive function exerted by the tunica albuginea is a result of its structure, which is rich in collagenic fibers, linked by elastic fiber bridges. The presence of structural disorders in the tunica albuginea of 16 patients suffering from psychogenic, arteriogenic and venogenic impotence is evaluated. The results obtained show a significant decrease in elastic fibers in the tunica albuginea of impotent patients compared to a control group of 5 patients with normal erection activity. This structural disorder could result in tunica albuginea alteration and, therefore, in erection insufficiency.