Which arteries and veins are assessed to determine impotency related to peripheral vascular insufficiency?

The assessment of impotency related to peripheral vascular insufficiency specifically involves evaluating the cavernous arteries and dorsal veins. The cavernous arteries supply blood to the corpora cavernosa, which are essential for achieving and maintaining an erection. Adequate blood flow through these arteries is crucial for erectile function. When there is a deficit in blood supply due to vascular insufficiency, it can lead to impotency.

The dorsal veins play a role in draining blood from the penis and can impact erectile function if their condition contributes to venous leakage. Thus, assessing both the cavernous arteries and dorsal veins provides valuable information regarding the hemodynamics responsible for erectile function and the potential pathophysiology behind impotency.

In contrast, other options do not directly relate to the vascular structures involved in erectile function. For example, the femoral and saphenous vessels are more closely associated with general lower limb circulation and do not specifically address the vascular dynamics of the penis. Similarly, premature arteries and urethral arteries do not pertain to the erectile process itself.