| Clitoris | |
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| The internal anatomy of the human vulva, with the clitoral hood and labia minora indicated as lines. The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs The clitoris extends from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone. | |
| Gray's | subject #270 1266 |
| Artery | dorsal artery of clitoris, deep artery of clitoris |
| Vein | superficial dorsal veins of clitoris, deep dorsal vein of clitoris |
| Nerve | dorsal nerve of clitoris |
| Precursor | Genital tubercle |
| MeSH | Clitoris |
The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. Gray's Anatomy the Respiratory apparatus ( Apparatus Respiratorius Respiratory system Respiratory apparatus Arteries are Blood vessels that carry blood away from the Heart. The dorsal artery of clitoris is a branch of the Internal pudendal artery. The deep artery of clitoris is a branch of the Internal pudendal artery. In the Circulatory system, a vein is a Blood vessel that carries Blood back toward the Heart (as opposed to Artery, a blood vessel The superficial dorsal veins of clitoris is a tributary of the External pudendal vein. The deep dorsal vein of clitoris is a vein which drains to the Vesical plexus. A nerve is an enclosed cable-like bundle of peripheral Axons (the long slender projections of Neurons. The dorsal nerve of the clitoris is a Nerve in females that branches off the Pudendal nerve to innervate the Clitoris. Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development A genital tubercle is a body of tissue present in the Development of the urinary and reproductive organs. Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina. In fields of Anatomy, anatomical terms of location are descriptive terms to help identify relative positions or directions within a species The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not contain the distal portion of the urethra and functions solely to induce sexual pleasure. The penis (plural penises, penes In Evolutionary biology, homology has come to mean any similarity between characters that is due to their shared ancestry. In fields of Anatomy, anatomical terms of location are descriptive terms to help identify relative positions or directions within a species In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of Generally speaking human sexuality is how people experience and express themselves as sexual beings The only known exception to this is in the Spotted Hyena. The Spotted Hyena, or Laughing Hyena, ( Crocuta crocuta) is a carnivorous Mammal of the family Hyaenidae. In this species, the urogenital system is unique in that the female urinates, mates and gives birth via an enlarged, erectile clitoris, known as a pseudo-penis. The urogenital system includes the Sex organs, the Urinary system, and the Excretion of Vertebrates. The erection of the Penis, Clitoris or a Nipple is its enlarged and firm state A pseudo-penis is a term used of any structure found on an animal that while superficially appearing to be a Penis, is derived from a different developmental path [1]
Contents |
Pronunciation and etymology
The word is pronounced /ˈklɪtɒrɪs/ (listen) or /klɪˈtɔərɪs/ (listen). The plural forms are clitorises in English and clitorides in Latin. In slang, it is sometimes abbreviated as clit, which originated in the 1960s. The OED suggests that the pronunciation /ˈklaɪtɒrɪs/) is also used in the UK, and gives the likely etymology as coming from the Greek κλειτορἰς, perhaps derived from the verb κλεἰ-ειν, to shut. The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Online Etymology Dictionary maintains that the etymology of this diminutive is still uncertain noting that many sources take kleitoris “Κλειτορίδ” literally from the Greek "little hill”. The Online Etymology Dictionary is a Dictionary that describes the origins of English language words Other etymological candidates are key or latch, to touch or titillate lasciviously, to tickle, to be inclined (toward pleasure) and slope, from the same root as climax. It has been noted in German as der Kitzler meaning "the tickler". Its Latin genitive is clitoridis, as in "glans clitoridis". In Grammar, the genitive case or possessive case (also called the second case) is the case that marks a Noun as modifying another The clitoral glans (glans clitoridis is an external portion of the Clitoris.
Form
The head or glans of the clitoris is roughly the size and shape of a pea, although it can be significantly larger or smaller. A pea (inaccurately called a '''sweet pea''' by food distubutors is most commonly the small spherical Seed or the seed-pod of the Legume Pisum The clitoral glans is highly sensitive, containing as many nerve endings as the analogous organ in males, the glans penis, making it particularly well-suited for sexual stimulation. The glans penis (or simply glans) is the sensitive tip of the Penis. Sexual stimulation is any stimulus that leads to sexual arousal or Orgasm.
| Human vulva | |
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| Human vulva showing externally-visible features of the clitoris in relation to other components: 1. Clitoral hood (prepuce); 2. Clitoral glans; 3. Urethral orifice; 4. Vulval vestibule; 5. Labia minora; 6. Vaginal opening; 7. Labia majora (hair removed); 8. Perineum | |
| MeSH | Vulva |
The clitoris is a complex structure that includes external and internal components. Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books Projecting at the front of the vaginal commissure where the edges of the outer lips (labia majora) meet at the base of the pubic mound is the clitoral hood (prepuce), which in full or part covers the head (clitoral glans) -- commonly about the size and shape of a shirt-button. A commissure is the place where two things are joined The term is used especially in the fields of anatomy and biology The labia majora (singular labium majus) are two prominent Longitudinal Cutaneous folds which extend downward and backward from the Mons pubis In Female Human Anatomy, the clitoral hood, (also called preputium clitoridis and clitoral prepuce) is a fold of Skin The clitoral glans (glans clitoridis is an external portion of the Clitoris. Following from the head back and up along the shaft, it is found that this extends up to several centimeters before reversing direction, branched resulting in a shaped like an inverted "V", and extending as a pair of "legs" known as the clitoral crura formed of the corpora cavernosa, which are concealed behind the labia minora, and terminating attached to the pubic arch, according to some [1], or following interior to the labia minora to meet at the fourchette, according to others. Anatomy The clitoral crura are an internal portion of the Clitoris. The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. In female Human anatomy, the frenulum labiorum pudendi (aka the fourchette) is a Frenulum where the Labia minora meet [2]
Associated are the urethral sponge, clitoral/vestibular bulbs, perineal sponge, a network of nerves and blood vessels, suspensory ligaments, muscles and pelvic diaphragm. The urethral sponge is a spongy cushion of tissue, found in the lower genital area of Women, that sits against both the Pubic bone Anatomy The vestibular bulbs, also known as the clitoral bulbs, are aggregations of erectile tissue that are an internal part of the Clitoris [3]
There is considerable variation with regard to how much of the clitoris protrudes from the hood and how much is covered by it, ranging from complete, covered invisibility to full, protruding visibility. An article published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in July 1992 states that the average width of the clitoral glans lies within the range of 2. 5 – 4. 5 mm (0. 10-0. 18 in) indicating that the average size is smaller than a pencil eraser. There is no identified correlation between the size of a clitoris and the person's age, neither to being post-menopausal, nor to height, weight or use of oral contraceptives. Those who have given birth do tend to have slightly larger measurements.
Masters and Johnson were the first to determine that the clitoral structures surround and extend along the vagina, determining that all orgasms are of clitoral origin. The Masters and Johnson research team, made up of William Masters and Virginia E An orgasm (sexual climax is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females [4] More recently, Australian urologist Dr. Helen O'Connell using MRI technology noted a direct relationship between the legs or roots of the clitoris and the erectile tissue of the clitoral bulbs and corpora, and the distal urethra and vagina. Erectile tissue is tissue in the body that can become erect usually by becoming engorged with Blood. [5]She asserts that this interconnected relationship is the physiological explanation for the conjectured G-spot and experience of vaginal orgasm taking into account the stimulation of the internal parts of the clitoris during vaginal penetration. The Gräfenberg spot, or G-spot, is a female Erogenous zone which when stimulated leads to high levels of sexual arousal and powerful Orgasms An orgasm (sexual climax is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females [6] Some individuals who experience orgasm from both direct clitoral stimulation of the glans and vaginal access to the internal bodies may distinguish between them in terms of both the physical and general sensations associated with each.
During sexual arousal and during orgasm, the clitoris and the whole of the genitalia engorge and change color as these erectile tissues fill with blood, and the individual experiences vaginal contractions. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Masters and Johnson documented the sexual response cycle, which has four phases and is still the clinically accepted definition of the human orgasm. The human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses during Sexual stimulation. More recent research has determined that some can experience a sustained intense orgasm through stimulation of the clitoris and remain in the orgasmic phase for much longer than the original studies indicate, evidenced by genital engorgement and color changes, and vaginal contractions. [7]
Development
At the time of development of the urinary and reproductive organs in embryogenesis the previously undifferentiated genital tubercle develops into the clitoris or the penis, along with all other major organ systems, making them homologous. The development of the urinary and reproductive organs as a part of the Prenatal development, concerns the Urinary system and Sex organs. Embryogenesis is the process by which the Embryo is formed and develops A genital tubercle is a body of tissue present in the Development of the urinary and reproductive organs. [3]. The clitoris is formed from the same tissues that would become the glans and upper shaft of a penis if the embryo had been exposed to “male” hormones. The penis (plural penises, penes An embryo (from Greek:, plural, lit "that which grows" from en- "in" + bryein "to swell be full" is a multicellular Changes in appearance of male and female embryos begin roughly eight weeks after conception. By birth, the genital structures have developed into the female reproductive system. [8] Embryo sex based on external genitalia is apparent to a doctor at the end of the 14th menstrual week, and the sex can usually be identified by an ultrasound after 16 to 18 menstrual weeks. [9]
Recognition of existence
Over a period of more than 2,500 years, some have considered the clitoris and the penis equivalent in all respects except their arrangement. [2] Medical literature first recognized the existence of the clitoris in the 16th century. This is the subject of some dispute: Realdo Colombo (also known as Matteo Renaldo Colombo) was a lecturer in surgery at the University of Padua, Italy, and in 1559 he published a book called De re anatomica in which he described the "seat of woman's delight". Matteo Realdo Colombo or Renaldus Columbus (c 1516 - 1559 was an Italian professor of Anatomy and a surgeon at the University of Padua Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental The University of Padua ( Italian Università degli Studi di Padova, UNIPD) located in Padua, Italy, was founded in 1222 Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Colombo concluded, "Since no one has discerned these projections and their workings, if it is permissible to give names to things discovered by me, it should be called the love or sweetness of Venus. Venus was a major Roman Goddess principally associated with Love, Beauty and fertility, the equivalent of the Greek goddess "
Colombo's claim was disputed by his successor at Padua, Gabriele Falloppio (who discovered the fallopian tube), who claimed that he was the first to discover the clitoris. The University of Padua ( Italian Università degli Studi di Padova, UNIPD) located in Padua, Italy, was founded in 1222 Gabriele Falloppio ( 1523 - October 9, 1562) often known by his Latin name Fallopius, was one of the most important anatomists The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges ( singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated Caspar Bartholin, a 17th century Danish anatomist, dismissed both claims, arguing that the clitoris had been widely known to medical science since the 2nd century. Caspar Bartholin the Younger (auch Caspar Bartholin Secundus * 10 September 1655 in Kopenhagen; † 11 June 1738), was a Danish As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar Anatomy (from the Greek anatomia, from ana separate apart from and temnein, to cut up cut open is a branch of Biology that is the consideration Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the The 2nd century is the period from 101 to 200 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Indeed, Hippocrates used the term columella (little pillar). Hippocrates of Cos II or Hippokrates of Kos ( ca. 460 BC – ca Avicenna named the clitoris the albatra or virga (rod). TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> ( Persian /ابو علی الحسین ابن عبدالله ابن سینا (born Albucasis, an Arabic medical authority, named it tentigo (tension). TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn al-Abbas Al-Zahrawi (936 - 1013 (أبو القاسم بن خلف It was also known to the Romans, who named it landica. Latin profanity is the profane, indecent or impolite vocabulary of Latin, and its uses (The Latin Sexual Vocabulary by J. N. Adams Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982. pp. 95-6. )
This cycle of suppression and discovery continued, notably in the work of De Graaf (Tractatus de Virorum Organis Generationi Inservientibus, De Mulierum Organis Generationi Inservientibus Tractatus Novus) in the 17th century and Kobelt (Die männlichen und weiblichen Wollustorgane des Menschen und einiger Säugetiere) in the 19th.
The full extent of the clitoris was alluded to by Masters and Johnson in 1966, but in such a muddled fashion that the significance of their description became obscured. That same year, feminist psychiatrist Mary Jane Sherfey published an article on female sexuality that described in detail the extensive nature of the internal anatomy of the clitoris and in 1981, the Federation of Feminist Women's Health Clinics (FFWHC) continued this process with anatomically precise illustrations. Mary Jane Sherfey was an American Psychiatrist and writer on Female sexuality, she received her medical degree from Indiana University, where she attended [2] Today, MRI complements these efforts, as it is both a live and multiplanar method of examination [10].
Female genital modification
The external part of the clitoris may be partially or totally removed during female genital cutting, also known as a clitoridectomy, female circumcision, or female genital mutilation (FGM); this may be a voluntary or involuntary procedure. The terms genital modification and genital mutilation can refer to permanent or temporary changes to Human Genitals. Female genital cutting (FGC also known as female genital mutilation (FGM female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C refers to The topic is highly controversial with many countries condemning the traditions that give rise to involuntary procedures, and with some countries outlawing even voluntary procedures. Amnesty International estimates that over 2 million involuntary female circumcisions are being performed every year, mainly in African countries. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to
In various cultures, the clitoris is sometimes pierced directly. Health issues Jewelry Both Captive bead rings and barbell style jewelry can be worn in this piercing both as initial jewelry and in the long term In U. S. body modification culture, it is actually extremely rare for the clitoral shaft itself to be pierced, as of the already few people who desire the piercing, only a small percentage are anatomically suited for it; furthermore, most piercing artists are understandably reluctant to attempt such a delicate procedure. Some styles, such as the Isabella, do pass through the clitoris but are placed deep at the base, where they provide unique stimulation; they still require the proper genital build, but are more common than shaft piercings. Isabella piercing is a female Genital piercing. This extremely deep clitoral shaft piercing starts below the Clitoris and just above the Urethra Additionally, what is (erroneously) referred to as a "clit piercing" is almost always the much more common (and much less complicated) clitoral hood piercing. A clitoral hood piercing is a female Genital piercing through the Clitoral hood surrounding the Clitoris.
Enlargement may be intentional or unintentional. Those taking hormones and/or other medications as part of female-to-male transition usually experience dramatic clitoral growth; individual desires (and the difficulties of surgical phalloplasty) often result in the retention of the original genitalia, the enlarged clitoris analogous to a penis as part of the transition. A transman or transguy (often referred to as FTM) is short for Transsexual or Transgender man - a person who was naturally born or physically On the other hand, use of anabolic steroids by bodybuilders and other athletes can result in significant enlargement of the clitoris in concert with other masculinizing effects on their bodies. Anabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids ( AAS) are a class of Steroid hormones related to the hormone Testosterone. Temporary engorgement results from suction pumping, practiced to enhance sexual pleasure or for aesthetic purposes.
Intersex and transsexual people
Transsexuals who undergo sex reassignment surgery (male-to-female) may choose to have their surgeon design a clitoris, using their existing genital tissue. Sex reassignment surgery from male to female involves reshaping the Male genitals into a form with the appearance of and as far as possible the function of The new clitoris may be referred to as a neoclitoris.
Additional images
 Outer anatomy of clitoris. |
 Muscles of the perineum. |
 Sagittal section of the lower part of the trunk, right segment. |
References
- ^ Laurence S. Baskina, Selcuk Yucelae, Gerald R. Cunhab, Stephen E. Glickmancd, Ned J. Placec (January 2006). "A Neuroanatomical Comparison of Humans and Spotted Hyena, a Natural Animal Model for Common Urogenital Sinus: Clinical Reflections on Feminizing Genitoplasty". Journal of Urology 175 (1): 276-283.
- ^ a b c Chalker, Rebecca (2000). The Clitoral Truth. Seven Seas Press, 1. ISBN 1-58322-473-4.
- ^ a b Francoeur, Robert T. (2000). The Complete Dictionary of Sexology. The Continuum Publishing Company, 180. ISBN 0-82640-672-6.
- ^ Federation of Feminist Women’s Health Centers (1991). A New View of a Woman’s Body. Feminist Heath Press, 46. ISBN 0-929945-0-2.
- ^ O'Connell, Helen, Anatomy of the Clitoris, J Urol. 2005 Oct;174(4 Pt 1):1189-95, PMID 16145367
- ^ Mascall, Sharon, “Time for Rethink on the Clitoris”, BBC News. 2006 June |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5013866.stm
- ^ Bodansky, Vera and Steve (2002). The Illustrated Guide to Extended Massive Orgasm. Hunter House. ISBN 0897933621.
- ^ Reinisch, Beasley, June and Ruth (1990). The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex. St. Martin’s Press. ISBN 0312063865.
- ^ Heffner, Linda (2001). Human Reproduction at a Glance. Blackwell Sciences, Ltd. ISBN 0632054611.
- ^ "Anatomy of the Clitoris" (October 2005). The Journal of Urology 174: 1189 –1195.
External links
- VulvaVelvet.org - Female sexual anatomy, including information on the structure of the clitoris
- Time for rethink on the clitoris (BBC News)
- Video simulation of the clitoris in arousal
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