Scientists create the first EVER map of the clitoris – and it confirms the female sexual organ is even more sensitive than we thought
It is often described as the ‘female pleasure centre’.
And now the clitoris has been mapped for the first time.
To create the map, scientists used state-of-the-art X-ray imaging techniques to scan two postmortem female pelvic samples.
The results revealed a complex network of nerves running throughout the female genitalia; Many of these, including nerves that are vital to orgasm.
Researchers from Amsterdam UMC hope the map will help break the cultural taboo surrounding women’s sexual health.
‘The clitoris is a unique organ in the female body responsible for sexual pleasure,’ they wrote in their research.
‘The first references to the clitoris can be traced back to ancient times, exemplified by the writings of Aristotle.
‘But the cultural taboo around female sexuality has hindered scientific investigation for centuries.’
It is often described as the ‘female pleasure centre’. And now the clitoris has been mapped for the first time
The clitoris is the only human organ that has the sole purpose of providing pleasure.
It consists of nerves that carry electrical impulses between the brain and the rest of the body, allowing women to feel and respond to touch.
While the tip of the clitoris (glans) is located outside the body, most of the organ is located inside.
This includes the dorsal nerve, a wishbone-shaped nerve that runs down each side of the clitoral shaft and is responsible for clitoral sensation.
Until now, mapping the genitalia has been problematic.
They write in their work published as a preprint bioRxivResearchers led by Ju Young Lee explained: ‘The detailed anatomy of the clitoris is difficult to address through massive dissection because most of its parts are buried internally, surrounded by the pubic bone and various pelvic organs.
‘While clinical imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging can capture overall 3D morphology, they lack the spatial resolution required to resolve detailed structures.’
Instead, researchers took micron-scale CT scans of women’s pelvises using a ‘synchrotron radiation X-ray source’.
Researchers took micron-scale CT scans of women’s pelvises using a ‘synchrotron radiation X-ray source’. This allowed them to map the nerves running through the genitals in unprecedented detail; some were only 0.2 mm in diameter.
One of the most surprising findings surrounds the dorsal nerve (DNC), which is responsible for clitoral sensation. Previous studies have suggested that this ‘gradually decreases’ as the endpoint is reached; But researchers found that wasn’t the case
This allowed them to map the nerves running through the genitals in unprecedented detail; some were only 0.2 mm in diameter.
One of the most surprising findings surrounds the dorsal nerve (DNC), which is responsible for clitoral sensation.
Previous studies have suggested that this ‘gradually decreases’ as the endpoint is reached; however, researchers found that this was not the case.
‘DNC does not decrease, but instead exhibits a complex, tree-like branching pattern in the clitoral glans,’ they explained.
Researchers note that the penis was mapped more than 30 years ago, and they hope the findings will help fill the knowledge gap about women’s sexual health.
What’s more, the map could also help redefine the ‘danger zone’ used in female genital plastic surgery.
‘The popularity of this type of surgery has increased dramatically in recent years; “An example of this is the 70% increase in labiaplasty from 2015 to 2020,” they explained.
‘Danger zone’ was proposed to help surgeons prevent nerve damage during surgery.’
