Tumescence is the quality or state of being tumescent or swollen. Tumescence usually refers to the normal engorgement withblood[1] (vascular congestion) of theerectile tissues, markingsexual excitation, and possible readiness forsexual activity. The tumescent sexual organ in males is thepenis and in females is theclitoris and other parts of the genitalia like thevestibular bulbs.Arteries in the penis dilate to increase blood volume.[2]
Detumescence is the reversal of this process, by which blood leaves the erectile tissue, returning the erectile tissue to the flaccid state.[3]
Something that causes anerection is sometimes referred to as a tumefier (tumefyer) or tumescer.[4]