Death erection - Definition

A death erection (angel lust in medical slang) occurs when a male individual dies vertically or face-down – the cadaver remaining in this position. During life, the pumping of blood by the heart ensures a relatively even distribution around the blood vessels of the body. Once this mechanism has ended only the force of gravity acts upon the blood. As with any mass, the blood settles at the lowest point of the body it can. If an individual dies vertically (as in hanging) the blood will settle in the legs. At the feet, the pressure will be greatest as the weight of the blood pushes down - this causes the blood vessels in the feet to expand to their greatest elastic capacity and hold the greatest volume of blood as is possible. This effect occurs right up the legs (though lessening due to a lesser weight of blood weighing down from above).

Though not as dramatic as at the feet, the effect is notable at the waist - the blood which remains in the torso attempts to get to a lower position due to gravity, and is hence weighing on the blood in the waist (which cannot move down due to the legs being full). This pressure, causes the penis, which consists of erectile tissue, to fill with blood and expand, an erection - this is the death erection. As long as the body remains in the position the effect will continue, and increase - with more blood filtering into the penis.

In popular culture

• Kevin Smith's first movie Clerks features a scene which shows a death erection.