It is essential to realize that semen emission and ejaculation involve a series of actions performed by our body-organs with precise coordination. A dense network of nerve fibers supplying the sex organs controls the complex events during ejaculation. Do the Quranic account of seminal fluid emission and the scientific understanding in this matter agree with each other? A brief review of the anatomy and physiology of erection, the process of emission, and ejaculation are vital to evaluate this matter.
1. A brief review of the reproductive anatomy and physiology
There are basic similarities in nerve distribution and their functions in both male and female sex organs. These include 1. Dilation of blood vessels while allowing increased blood flow and resulting erection of penis and clitoris 2. Secretions of prostatic and vaginal fluids 3. Smooth muscle contraction of vas deferens in males during ejaculation and rhythmic vaginal contractions during orgasm in females. 4. Contractions of the pelvic muscles at orgasm in both males and females.
With attention to the scope of the Quranic verse 86:5-7, we will focus the discussion on the male ejaculatory function. The subject in this discussion is vast and complicated. The author has made sincere efforts to simplify the contents for general understanding.
2. The origin and the composition of ejaculatory fluid
3. The neurology of the sex organs
The sympathetic autonomic nervous system in humans
Credit attribution: Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014“. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
4. The mechanism of ejaculation
Thus, it can be seen that a complex interaction of the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic reflex pathways are required to complete the entire sexual act. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ejaculation.
As seen in various studies, the sympathetic stimulation from T11, T12, and L1 sympathetic nerve fibers process the emission and ejaculation by alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation through Nor-epinephrine. Anatomy and Physiology of Erection, Ejaculation, and Orgasm
5. The origin of the nerve stimulation for ejaculation
During ejaculation, sympathetic nerve stimulation causes contraction of seminal vesicles, vas deferens, and prostate with spermatozoa and seminal fluid expulsions to the posterior urethra and then out of the body. The Sympathetic nerve supply originates from the sympathetic trunk at the T11, T12, L1, and L2 spine levels while the sympathetic trunk rests in between the vertebral bodies (backbone) and the ribs.
6. Discussion of Quran 86:5-7
Quran 86:5-7 “Man should reflect on what he is created from. He is created from an emitted fluid that is issued from between the backbone and the ribs.”
The seminal fluid originates from the backbone (vertebral column) or ribs is inaccurate. The verse does not imply that. The verse points out that something that lies in between the spine (vertebral column) and the ribs are causing the ejaculation of the semen.
Anatomical consideration
Muslims argue that the structure mentioned in Quran 86:5-7 as “between the backbone and the rib” is the sympathetic trunk. Not only that, the sympathetic nerve fibers control the process of ejaculation, but also that the sympathetic trunk is located between the backbone and the ribs. As shown above, in the illustration, the sympathetic trunk is located in the paravertebral gutter, a groove between the spine and the ribs. The sympathetic stimulation for ejaculation originates at the T11, T12, L1, and L2 spinal levels. (T=thoracic, L=lumbar and S= sacral vertebra). All these levels are either directly anterior or just inferior to where the ribs join the vertebral bodies.
Thus we can see how the sympathetic nerve signals from between the backbones and the ribs expel the semen or the “emitted fluid” during ejaculation, initiating the process of creating a new human life. https://qpeace.net/?p=878
7. Additional consideration
a. In addition to the nervous mechanism of the ejaculation of seminal fluid, we also know that the embryological origin of the testicle (produces sperm) is from the embryonic gonadal ridge located between future ribs and the spine.
b. As can be seen that the parasympathetic nerve stimulation and the somatic nerve stimulation, which lead to sexual arousal and erection of the penis, originate from S2 S3 S4. However, the adult spinal cord ends at the level of the first lumbar vertebrae (L1). Consequently, L1, L2, and S2-S4 nerve roots originate from the spinal cord within the L1 level, which is immediately below the 12th thoracic vertebra where the 12th rib meets the backbone.
c. Given these points, we can conclude that not only the origin of sympathetic nerve supply controlling ejaculation but also the parasympathetic and somatic nerves contributing to the other aspects of the human sexual act are situated “between the backbone and the ribs.”
To know more about the meaning of “the Qurans’ consistency with modern science,” please read this: https://qpeace.net/?p=8207
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