HUMAN CEREBROCORTICAL POTENTIALS-EVOKED BY STIMULATION OF THE DORSAL NERVE OF THE PENIS

Cortical evoked potentials resulting from stimulation of the dorsal ne rve of the penis (DNP) provide a unique opportunity to document the co rtical localization of sexual sensory representation in man. The DNP s upplies sensory axons to the major portion of the human phallus, inclu ding the penile shaft and glans. Animal and human studies indicate tha t this nerve plays a crucial role in erection and ejaculation. Direct cortical evoked responses to DNP electrical stimulation were recorded in patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for resection of epilep tic foci. These studies provided evidence that the primary sensory cor tex contains a large area of cortex devoted to the afferent fibers of the DNP and that the sensory field is in a different location than pre viously described. The location and distribution of this response indi cated the need for revision of the traditional concept of the sensory cortical homunculus.