Methodologies to elicit and record pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials in adult humans: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to characterize methodologies reported in the literature to elicit and record pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in human adults. METHODS: We conducted an electronic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL for studies that elicited pudendal SEPs via electrical stimulation and recorded responses though electroencephalography. From included studies, we extracted methodological details of how the SEPs were evoked and recorded. RESULTS: 132 studies were included in our review. The majority of participants were male (n = 6742/8526, 79%). Almost all studies stimulated the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris. Stimulus parameters varied, with most standardizing stimulus intensity to 2-4x perceptual threshold, pulse duration to 0.1-0.2 ms, and frequency to 3 Hz. The number of stimuli recorded varied by clinical population. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the inconsistencies of pudendal SEP methodology in the literature, with the majority (77%) of publications not reporting enough detail to reasonably replicate their protocol. Most research to date has been conducted in males, highlighting the paucity of female pelvic neurophysiology research. SIGNIFICANCE: We propose a Pudendal SEP Reporting Checklist for adequate reporting of pudendal SEP protocols. Optimal sex- and patient-specific methodologies to investigate all branches of the pudendal nerve need to be established.

Clitoral metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix on 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI.

Metastasis to the clitoris is extremely rare. Here, we report a highly unusual case of high-grade squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastasizing to the clitoris a year following surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The patient presented with a painless clitoral mass identified through physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a diffusely enhancing clitoral mass with hyperintense signals on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-sensitive T2-weighted (T2W) sequences. This malignant tumor was detected by 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) due to its high FDG uptake. Pathological examination confirmed clitoral metastasis. Clitoral metastasis, although exceedingly rare, should be considered in cervical cancer patients presenting with clitoral masses on physical examination and imaging, particularly in those with advanced stages. Our case report is unique because it represents a recurrence in a patient initially diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

Axonal and Glial PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 Immunoreactivity in Human Clitoral Krause's Corpuscles.

Krause's corpuscles are typical of cutaneous mucous epithelia, like the lip vermillion or the glans clitoridis, and are associated with rapidly adapting low-threshold mechanoreceptors involved in gentle touch or vibration. PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 are transmembrane mechano-gated proteins that form a part of the cationic ion channels required for mechanosensitivity in mammalian cells. They are involved in somatosensitivity, especially in the different qualities of touch, but also in pain and proprioception. In the present study, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the occurrence and cellular location of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in human clitoral Krause's corpuscles. Both PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were detected in Krause's corpuscles in both the axon and the terminal glial cells. The presence of PIEZOs in the terminal glial cells of Kraus's corpuscles is reported here for the first time. Based on the distribution of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, it may be assumed they could be involved in mechanical stimuli, sexual behavior, and sexual pleasure.

The coronation of the clitoris: formally introducing the corona of the glans clitoris.

The glans clitoris has a corona; however, unlike the corona of the glans penis, the corona of the glans clitoris is practically "nonexistent" as evidenced by the noteworthy absence of its mention and depiction in anatomical and clinical sciences. Accordingly, the corona of the glans clitoris has been neglected in anatomical education and clinical practice. This report details the history regarding the anatomical terminology of the glans and identifies that descriptions of the glans penis, corona of the glans penis, and other penile structures have preceded descriptions of the homologous anatomy of the clitoris by at least a century. Today, recognition of the corona of the glans clitoris, as well as the coronal sulcus and neck of the clitoris should be commonplace. Henceforth, the corona of the glans clitoris and its related anatomy including the sulcus of the glans clitoris and neck of the clitoris should be incorporated into anatomical and clinical language, illustrations, textbooks, education, and practice. Likewise, efforts should be made to propagate knowledge regarding the corona of the glans clitoris, coronal sulcus, and neck of the clitoris to the general public. Giving names to the anatomical structures of the clitoris will undoubtedly increase the awareness of their existence which, in turn, will encourage their clinical assessment and result in decreased morbidity and mortality. Likewise, improved self-awareness of clitoral anatomy will promote self-care which is important in the prevention of disease and the promotion of optimal sexual health.

Técnica Boomerang para plástica genital estética feminina / Boomerang technique for female genital aesthetic surgery

Introdução: A hipertrofia de pequenos lábios combinada com capuz clitoriano redundante é uma queixa comum entre mulheres que procuram cirurgia plástica genital cosmética por queixas funcionais, psicológicas e estéticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a técnica boomerang, um tratamento cirúrgico da hipertrofia labial que se estende a todo o capuz clitoriano. Método: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo, de caráter analítico, para avaliar os prontuários médicos de 48 pacientes consecutivas submetidas a cirurgia estética genital feminina entre julho de 2017 e julho de 2021. Todos os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram realizados pela mesma cirurgiã. A técnica utilizada nas pacientes consistiu na ressecção longitudinal dos excessos de pequenos lábios vaginais associado à ressecção de capô clitoriano em forma de boomerang e à clitoropexia. Resultados: A idade média das pacientes submetidas a cirurgia foi de 36,25 anos (intervalo 18-59 anos), entre as quais 94,44% apresentaram queixas estéticas associadas ou não a queixas funcionais, e 5,56% apresentaram somente queixas funcionais. Duas pacientes apresentaram hematomas nos grandes lábios no pós-operatório imediato, e uma paciente teve deiscência de sutura nos pequenos lábios. Conclusão: A técnica boomerang é reprodutível e proporciona benefícios estéticos e/ou funcionais na genitália feminina.

Introduction: Hypertrophy of the labia minora combined with a redundant clitoral hood is a common complaint among women seeking aesthetic genital cosmetic surgery for functional, psychological, and aesthetic complaints. The objective of this study was to describe the boomerang technique, a surgical treatment for labial hypertrophy that extends to the entire clitoral hood. Method: A retrospective, analytical study was conducted to evaluate the medical records of forty-eight consecutive patients who underwent female genital cosmetic surgery between July 2017 and July 2021. The same surgeon performed all surgical procedures. The technique used in the patients consisted of longitudinal resection of excess small vaginal lips associated with resection of the boomerang-shaped clitoral hood associated with clitoroplasty. Results: The average age of patients undergoing surgery was 36.25 years (range 18-59 years), among whom 94.44% had aesthetic complaints associated or not with functional complaints, and 5.56% had only functional complaints. Two patients had bruises on the labia majora in the immediate postoperative period, and one patient had suture dehiscence on the labia minora. Conclusion: The boomerang technique is reproducible and provides aesthetic and/or functional benefits to the female genitalia.

Anatomy of the clitoris: the corona of the glans clitoris, clitoral coronal papillae, and the coronopreputial frenulum.

The corona of the glans clitoris is a clinically important yet poorly understood anatomical structure. There has been longstanding confusion regarding the prevalence of the corona of the glans clitoris and, moreover, its very existence. Therefore, this anatomical study assesses the prevalence of the corona of the glans clitoris and the gross anatomy of the proximal glans clitoris. Anatomy was assessed in 104 female donor bodies ranging in age from 50 to 102 years with an average age-at-death of 78.1±10.9 years (mean±SD). All clitorises (100%; 104:104 dorsums and 100%; 208:208 sides) were found to have a well-defined clitoral corona. Three of 104 (2.9%) coronas possessed grossly visible, outward-projecting, bluntly rounded papillae. Some donors possessed a coronopreputial frenulum. Clitoropreputial adhesions were common and associated with clitoral pearls. Clitoral pearls were identified in 37.8% (14:37) of unembalmed donors and observed to create clitoral craters, structural deformations in the surface of the corona and glans. The results of this study suggest that the corona of the glans clitoris is a ubiquitous anatomical structure. The clitoral coronal papillae and coronopreputial frenulum are novel, previously undescribed, anatomical structures. This study identifies that the corona of the glans clitoris is prone to pathological processes such as clitoral pearl formation and clitoral deformation. In addition to novel anatomical findings, the results of this study call attention to the need for life-long clitoral examinations. Furthermore, the corona of the glans clitoris should be regularly included in anatomical texts and accurately depicted in anatomical illustrations.

Somatic and autonomic nerve density and distribution within the clitoris: an immunohistochemical study in adult female cadavers.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Knowledge of clitoral neuroanatomy is critical to vulvar surgery. We sought to characterize the density and distribution of autonomic and somatic nerves supplying the clitoris. METHODS: Pelvic tissue harvested from female cadavers was sectioned axially at three anatomic levels: the proximal aspect of the clitoral body (CB), the distal CB, and the glans. The CB, glans, and the surrounding connective tissue (dorsal, lateral, and ventral) were outlined microscopically. An area containing large nerve bundles dorsal to the CB, referred to as the dorsal nerve subregion, was analyzed separately. Double-immunofluorescent staining for beta III tubulin (ßIIIT), a global axonal marker, and myelin basic protein (MBP), a myelinated nerve marker, was performed. Threshold-based automatic image-segmentation distinguished stained areas. Autonomic and somatic density were calculated as percentage of tissue stained with ßIIIT alone, and ßIIIT and MBP respectively. Comparisons were made using nonparametric Friedman tests. RESULTS: Seven cadavers, aged 22-81, were examined. Somatic (mean 4.42%, SD ± 1.97) and autonomic (2.14% ± 2.42) nerve density was highest in the dorsal nerve subregion and dorsal region at the distal CB level. Compared with the CB, somatic density was higher in proximal (0.05% ± 0.03 vs 1.27% ± 0.69, p = 0.03) and distal (0.29% ± 0.25 vs 1.09% ± 0.41, p = 0.05) dorsal regions. Somatic density was greater in the glans than in the surrounding lateral (0.78% ± 0.47 vs 0.43% ± 0.23, p = 0.03) and ventral (0.78% ± 0.47 vs 0.52% ± 0.2, p = 0.03) regions. Autonomic density was greater than somatic in all areas, except for the dorsal nerve subregion. CONCLUSIONS: Somatic and autonomic nerve density were greatest in a well-defined region dorsal to the CB. Surgical preservation of this region is critical for maintaining nerve supply to the clitoris.

Female orgasm, reproduction and couple relationships.

A deficit or problematic achievement of female orgasm is often classified as a sexual disorder that creates complications in the sex life of couples. This assumption is generally accepted, even though vaginal anorgasmia is an accepted statistical norm and non-coital methods of generating female orgasm are not as easy as they are for men. Female orgasms manifest themselves in different ways; they are variable and can be dependent on a number of variable factors. Some theories suggest a high degree of correlation between the capacity for orgasmic experience, sexual attitudes and behaviour, but also with reproductive potential or the stability of the given couple's relationship. Female orgasm is often seen as a discriminatory mechanism influencing attitudes towards sexuality or even as a kind of fertility catalyst. There is no consensus on the importance of female orgasm. The results of some relevant studies refute theories about the female orgasm's positive influence on adaptive functions of the couple's relationship, as well as its influence on fertility. The orgasm in women is most likely an evolutionary by-product of its male variant, since the clitoris and penis have an identical embryonic basis of development. Female anorgasmia should not be considered an unquestioned diagnosis, let alone a psychiatric construct leading to a paradigm in which anorgasmia is categorically the cause of frustration or other problems.

Neurovascular anatomy of the developing human fetal penis and clitoris.

The human penile and clitoral development begins from a morphologically indifferent genital tubercle. Under the influence of androgen, the genital tubercle forms the penis by forming a tubular urethra within the penile shaft. Without the effect of the androgen, the genital tubercle differentiates into the clitoris, and a lack of formation of the urethra within the clitoris is observed. Even though there are similarities during the development of the glans penis and glans clitoris, the complex canalization occurring along the penile shaft eventually leads to a morphological difference between the penis and clitoris. Based on the morphological differences, the main goal of this study was to define the vascular and neuronal anatomy of the developing penis and clitoris between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Our results demonstrated there is a co-expression of CD31, which is an endothelial cell marker, and PGP9.5, which is a neuronal marker in the penis where the fusion is actively occurring at the ventral shaft. We also identified a unique anatomical structure for the first time, the clitoral ridge, which is a fetal structure running along the clitoral shaft in the vestibular groove. Contrary to previous anatomical findings which indicate that the neurovascular distribution in the developing penis and clitoris is similar, in this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy enabled us to demonstrate finer differences in the neurovascular anatomy between the penis and clitoris.

Hoodplasty: Individualized Approach for Labiaplasties.

INTRODUCTION: Hoodplasties and labia minora reductions are some of the most requested operative procedures by women distressed with the appearance of their vulvar region. In the majority of cases, a concomitant hoodplasty (HP) is performed to achieve a better aesthetic appearance. Various surgical methods have been described for the removal of excess tissue within the clitoris hood area. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study aims to describe a single surgeon's preference and results in her private practise in 630 patients who underwent labiaplasty mainly because of dissatisfaction with the aesthetic appearance. RESULTS: Of the 630 labiaplasties performed, 303 had clitoris hood excess, 44% of cases with concomitant HP and in 7.9% of cases only a HP was performed. The study was done between September 2009 and December 2021 and the HP technique was longitudinal excision in 97% of patients and horseshoe excision in 4.95% of them. Surgeries lasted between 30 and 60 min. 98% of the patients claimed an improvement in self-esteem and 96% claimed improvement in sex life post-surgery. No major complications occurred. DISCUSSION: An isolated labiaplasty technique in patients with hood excess results in disharmony in the area. HP can be considered as a subdivision of a labioplasty. Extended central wedge labia minora resection (V-plasty) is a commonly used procedure in LP operations but can limit the excess clitoris hood resection. Edge labia minora resection can easily be combined with longitudinal excision of the clitoral hood, and when also horizontal clitoris hood excess is present can also be addressed by converting the resection from longitudinal into a horse hose resection. Limitations in the study include lack of use of validated assessments for the satisfaction of aesthetic outcomes and that all the procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon, which can be seen as a strength but also a limitation because of the high risk of bias. Moreover, there was no comparative cohort for the study population. Furthermore, we could not find comparative cohorts in previously reported techniques in the literature either. CONCLUSION: Clitoris hood resections should be treated on an individualized approach and adapted according to the excess present. It is important when a patient requests a labiaplasty to always address the clitoris hood during the consultation to avoid unsatisfied patients afterwards. Many patients come just focussed on their labia minora excess and when corrected, realize the clitoris hood excess was also part of the problem. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors   www.springer.com/00266 .

Beyond the tip of the iceberg: A meta-analysis of the anatomy of the clitoris.

An understanding of ranges in clitoral anatomy is important for clinicians caring for patients including those who have had female genital mutilation, women seeking genital cosmetic surgery, or trans women seeking reconstructive surgery. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the ranges in clitoral measurements within the literature. A meta-analysis was performed on Ovid Medline and Embase databases following the PRISMA protocol. Measurements of clitoral structures from magnetic imaging resonance, ultrasound, cadaveric, and living women were extracted and analyzed. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The range in addition to the average length and width of the glans (6.40 mm; 5.14 mm), body (25.46 mm; 9.00 mm), crura (52.41 mm; 8.71 mm), bulb (52.00 mm; 10.33 mm), and prepuce (23.19 mm) was calculated. Furthermore, the range and average distance from the clitoris to the external urethral meatus (22.27 mm), vagina (43.14 mm), and anus (76.30 mm) was documented. All erectile and non-erectile structures of the clitoris present with substantial range. It is imperative to expand the literature on clitoral measurements and disseminate the new results to healthcare professionals and the public to reduce the sense of inadequacy and the chances of iatrogenic damage during surgery.

Stereological comparison of smooth muscle, collagen, and elastic fibers of the clitoris and glans penis in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the collagen, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle content of the clitoris and the glans penis in young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clitoris and the glans penis of six women and six men (mean age 25±3) who died as a result of accidents were excised. The samples were placed under a formaldehyde solution and histologically processed. Masson's trichrome and Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin stain was used to highlight the elastic fibers, smooth muscle, and collagen. Stereological analysis was conducted in 5 random fields of 5 slides for each sample. For statistical analysis, the unpaired t-test was used to compare values between groups, and a value of P<0.05 was considered as significant for all analyses. RESULTS: Stereology revealed a mean smooth muscle content of 35.84±6.46% and 31.64±4.74% for the clitoris and glans penis, respectively, while it also revealed collagen content of 26.11±7.41% and 28.44±3.55% and elastic fibers content of 24.12±4.34% and 30.97±6.13% for the clitoris and glans penis, respectively. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between them. CONCLUSION: Regardless of anatomical differences, the volumetric density of collagen, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle were similar for the clitoris and glans penis in young adults, a feature possibly explained by their embryology.

How well do we truly understand clitoral anatomy? An Irish maternity hospital's perspective.

BACKGROUND: The clitoris has long been ignored in medical literature and teaching, with the first paper describing its anatomy only published in 1993. It is essential that those working in women's health understand the anatomy of this important female sexual organ. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of the anatomy of the clitoris across five cohorts in a busy teaching maternity hospital in Ireland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was devised, asking ten consultants, ten non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), ten midwives, ten midwifery students and ten medical students to name the anatomical parts of a 3D model of the clitoris. RESULTS: None of the 50 respondents could name all five labelled parts of the clitoris, and 38 of respondents could not correctly name one anatomical part. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that there is a lack of knowledge of the anatomical parts of the clitoris among the medical staff included in this study. This reflects a lack of adequate teaching in this area in both past and recent years. Despite this, we acknowledge that women's health and sexual health awareness is improving all of the time, and we hope that this study can highlight the need for reformed teaching in this area.

Application of clitoris exposure + episioplasty + dermabrasion + platelet-rich plasma injection + chemexfoliation in vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Introduction: To investigate the therapeutic effect of clitoris exposure + episioplasty + dermabrasion + platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection + chemexfoliation on vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). Methods: Twenty children with VLS (under 14 years old) at our hospital from July 2020 to November 2022 were enrolled and treated with clitoris exposure + episioplasty + dermabrasion + PRP injection + chemexfoliation. Additionally, symptomatic changes and improvements in signs were recorded. Results: Significant therapeutic effects were achieved in all children enrolled in this study. The Cattanco score was 8.02 ± 1.22 points before surgery, 2.21 ± 0.70 points 3 months after surgery, and 2.61 ± 0.59 points 6 months after surgery, demonstrating that the score after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery (p < 0.05). Mild complications (one case of mild vulvar swelling, one case of minor bleeding, and one case of superficial ulcer) were observed in three children after surgery, with an overall complication incidence of 15%; all complications were improved after the intervention, and no severe adverse reactions were observed. Recurrence was observed in one child (5%) 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Clitoris exposure + episioplasty + dermabrasion + PRP injection + chemexfoliation is an effective approach for the treatment of VLS. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/searchproj.html, identifier: ChiCTR2100054787.

Case report: Clitoral adenocarcinoma in a mixed-breed female dog.

A 9-year-old, spayed female, mixed-breed dog was initially presented for evaluation of chronic dermatitis on the nasal planum, where a clitoral mass was discovered as an incidental finding during the exam. No further investigation of the clitoral mass was undertaken due to other significant dermal lesions and the lack of clinical significance of the mass at the time. However, ~1 month later, the dog was presented to the Emergency Service for bleeding from the vulva. The clitoral mass was found to have prolapsed; the mass was manually reduced back into a position within the vulvar folds and maintained with a purse-string suture. The dog was referred to the Theriogenology Service for further investigation and removal. On follow-up evaluation, the mass was noted to be multi-lobulated, ulcerated, cystic, and involving the clitoris but not the urethra. The urethra was easily catheterized, and no urinary abnormalities were found. No evidence of lymph node metastasis or hypercalcemia was noted prior to surgery. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the anal sacs was normal. The mass was removed, and histopathologic evaluation revealed a primary clitoral adenocarcinoma. On recheck evaluation, after 1 month, no evidence of metastasis or local recurrence was observed. Clitoral adenocarcinoma is a rarely reported neoplasm of the canine genital tract that shares many clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features with canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma. This case adds to the available knowledge on the condition, specifically regarding the frequency of complications such as hypercalcemia and metastasis, as previous reports suggest that these are present at least 50% of the time.

Neurofibroma of the external genitalia, extreme enlargement of the clitoris.

Neurofibromatosis of the genitourinary tract is rare, with a prevalence of 0.65%, and it is exceedingly rare to involve the external genitalia. Involvement of the clitoris, labia majora, and prepuce was reported with clitoromegaly being the most frequently occurring. Herein, we are reporting the case of a 6-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a neurofibroma of the clitoris; measuring 9.4 cm in its largest dimension. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest clitoral neurofibroma reported in the literature. Due to the rarity of such cases and reports limitations in the literature, the diagnosis of neurofibroma of the external genitalia requires a high index of suspicion by health-care providers. Surgical excision and postoperative follow-up for possible recurrence remain the gold standard of management.

No clitting! We need to talk about clitoris transplantation.

In the last two decades, genital transplants have emerged as another type of quality-of-life transplants. Successful allogenic transplantations of the uterus, ovary, testicle, and penis have all been reported. Yet, there is no discussion of clitoris transplantation in the medical literature, mass media, and everywhere else I searched. This surgery could be used for cisgender women who have a clitoral injury or disease or who have undergone female genital cutting. I examine the gender norms regarding sexuality and reproduction to show how they shape surgical advancements. My point in this paper is not to take a normative position on status of current genital transplantations. Rather, I highlight that their existence is due, at least in part, because they align with dominant gender norms: penis and testicle transplantations reinforce the importance of men's virility and the existence of "normal" male genitalia, whereas uterus and ovary transplantations uphold the conflation of women and reproduction and the strong valuing of women's fertility. That medical advances reflect cultural values is not a new claim. What is new in this paper is the discussion of how sexism norms-regarding the invisibility of the clitoris and the devaluing of women's sexual pleasure- has engendered various types of genital transplants, but not clitoris transplantation.

Gross Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System of Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps).

We dissected carcasses of eight mature females, both parous and non-parous specimens, to study the macroscopic anatomy of the female reproductive system in the sugar glider. The genital system includes double organs, namely the right and left ones, which are completely separated. It includes two ovaries, two oviducts, two uteri and a vaginal complex. The uteri are fusiform-shaped and lack horns. The vaginal complex includes two lateral vaginae and a median vagina, also called the 'birth canal'. The cranial end of both lateral vaginae partially fuses, forming an expansion named the vaginal sinus, which is divided into two parts by a longitudinal septum, one for each vagina, where the ipsilateral uterine cervix opens. The caudal end of the lateral vaginae opens into a medial and impar duct: the urogenital sinus that serves as a common passage for the reproductive and urinary systems. In non-pregnant females, only the lateral vaginae are present. In pregnant and recently parous females, a short median vagina extends from the caudal wall of the vaginal sinus to the cranial end of the urogenital sinus. In the ventral wall of this sinus, next to its caudal opening, there is a forked clitoris.