priapism

Term: priapism

Literally meaning: “erection”

Origin: Anc Greek

Πρίαπος/Priapos(=Priapus)> πορίζω/porizo(=to make passage )+φύω/phyo(=to germinate)

Coined/History

In Greek Mythology Priapus or Priapos was a a fertility god, protector of livestock, gardens and male genitalia. Priapus joined Pan and the satyrs as a spirit of fertility and growth and he was marked by his absurdly oversized, permanent erection.

Definition

Priapism is is a sustained, usually painful, erection that lasts for more than four hours unrelated to sexual stimulation.