Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

How does the sympathetic nervous system affect ejaculation?

1. Inhibits it

2. Stimulates it

3. Has no effect

4. Delays it

The correct answer is: Stimulates it

The sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in the physiological mechanisms underlying ejaculation. It is responsible for the process of sexual climax, including ejaculation, through a series of coordinated neural pathways. When stimulated, sympathetic nerves release neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, which act on the smooth muscle of the reproductive tract to facilitate the contraction necessary for ejaculation. These sympathetic responses lead to the contraction of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland, which aids in the expulsion of semen. Thus, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system directly stimulates ejaculation, allowing for the completion of sexual activity. Understanding this mechanism highlights the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in sexual function and reinforces how neurotransmitters influence reproductive physiology.