Anatomy of the Clitoris

O’Connell, Helen; Sanjeevan, Kalavampara V.; Hutson, John M.

doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000173639.38898.cd

Cited by 249 publications

(168 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In many species, the clitoris contains erectile bodies that engorge during copulation (Crichton & Krutzsch, 1987; Drea & Weil, 2008; O'Connell et al, 2005). There is even some speculation that engorgement of the clitoris alters access to the female's reproductive tract, and without it copulation cannot occur (Lönnberg, 1902; Steel, 1885).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The baubellum is more developmentally and evolutionarily labile than the baculum

Lough-Stevens

Schultz

Dean

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Understanding the evolutionary forces that influence sexual dimorphism is a fundamental goal in biology. Here, we focus on one particularly extreme example of sexual dimorphism. Many mammal species possess a bone in their penis called a baculum. The female equivalent of this bone is called the baubellum and occurs in the clitoris, which is developmentally homologous to the male penis. To understand the potential linkage between these two structures, we scored baculum/baubellum presence/absence across 163 species and analyzed their distribution in a phylogenetic framework. The majority of species (N = 134) shared the same state in males and females (both baculum and baubellum present or absent). However, the baubellum has experienced significantly more transitions, and more recent transitions, so that the remaining 29 species have a baculum but not a well‐developed baubellum. Even in species where both bones are present, the baubellum shows more ontogenetic variability and harbors more morphological variation than the baculum. Our study demonstrates that the baculum and baubellum are generally correlated across mammals, but that the baubellum is more evolutionarily and developmentally labile than the baculum. The accumulation of more evolutionary transitions, especially losses in the baubellum, as well as noisier developmental patterns, suggests that the baubellum may be nonfunctional, and lost over time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The baubellum is more developmentally and evolutionarily labile than the baculum

Lough-Stevens

Schultz

Dean

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…MRI and cadaver dissections have suggested the clitoris to be 9-10 cm in length, with a wishbone configuration and close proximity to the anterior vaginal wall. 24,25 Orgasms may arise from direct and indirect clitoral stimulation. 26 Coincident changes in innervation or blood supply of the clitoris could result in alterations in sexual function following surgical treatment.…”

Section: Anatomic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of gynecological surgery on female sexual function

Pauls

2010

Int J Impot Res

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Sexual function is complex and involves interaction of many factors, including emotional connection, body image, intact physical response and partner sexual function. Disease processes such as abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse may have a negative impact on various parameters of sexual health. Gynecological surgery to address these common complaints may correct the pathological process. However, despite improvements in symptoms related to the disease, improvements in sexuality are not guaranteed and occasionally there may be deteriorations. This review will summarize the current literature assessing sexual symptoms following benign gynecological surgery, including hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, tubal ligation, anti-incontinence surgery and pelvic organ prolapse reconstruction with and without mesh. In the majority of cases, sexual function and quality of life benefit from these surgical interventions. However, it is critical that physicians remain aware of the potential for negative outcomes. Subjects who experience worsening should undergo thorough evaluation early in the postoperative period in order to mitigate symptoms. Treatment modalities for sexual dysfunction following surgery should be the focus of future research.

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“…Es preciso recordar que en el marco de las leyes actuales el consentimiento es necesario y suficiente para la realización de cualquier modificación del cuerpo femenino, excepto las que se realicen por razones rituales the orgasmic focus, that is clitoral vs. vaginal" (O'Connell et al 2005(O'Connell et al : 1194. Efectivamente, como afirma Thomas Laqueur, "The tale of the clitoris is a parable of culture, of how the body is forged into a shape valuable to civilization despite and not because of itself" (Laqueur 1990: 236).…”

Section: A Modo De Conclusiónunclassified

Intervenciones sobre los genitales femeninos: Entre el bisturí del cirujano plástico y el cuchillo ritual

Barbera

2010

Rev. Dialectol. Trad. Popul.

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RESUMENMientras se gastan cifras enormes y cada año crecientes en intervenciones quirúrgi-cas que modifican los órganos sexuales, las intervenciones rituales sobre los genitales femeninos encuentran una oposición política y social cada vez más fuerte. ¿Cuáles son los modelos interpretativos adoptados para definir como estéticas a unas y criminales a las otras? ¿Existe una actitud colonialista implícita en la condena de las intervenciones rituales sobre los genitales femeninos? Este parece ser el caso cuando se examinan conjuntamente los daños para la salud derivados del implante mamario, los significados simbólicos de las intervenciones rituales, la reinvención estratégica de las prácticas tradicionales y el uso del binomio salud/patología como "proceso de control". Este artículo propone cuestionar la idea de que quien se somete al bisturí del cirujano plástico disfruta de libertad y autonomía en una sociedad libre de opresión, mientras que quien se expone al cuchillo ritual es víctima pasiva de las sociedades patriarcales tradicionales.Palabras clave: Cuerpo femenino, Mutilación genital femenina, Circuncisión femenina, Ablación de clítoris, Cirugía estética, Ritual, Procesos de control. SUMMARYWhile enormous and growing sums of money are spent each year in genital cosmetic surgeries, ritual female genital interventions increasingly meet strong political and social Populares, vol. LXV, n. o 2, pp. 465-488, julio-diciembre 2010, ISSN: 0034-7981, eISSN: 1988-8457, doi: 10.3989/rdtp.2010 * Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto FFI2009-08762. Agradezco a Laura Nader sus comentarios durante mi estancia posdoctoral en el Departamento de Antropología de la Universidad de Berkeley, a Margarita del Olmo su apoyo durante el proceso de elaboración del texto y a Matilde Fernández Montes su meticulosa revisión. Agradezco a Carmen Ortiz García y a los revisores anónimos sus comentarios críticos. Revista de Dialectología y Tradiciones

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Anatomy of the Clitoris

Cited by 249 publications

References 21 publications

The baubellum is more developmentally and evolutionarily labile than the baculum

The baubellum is more developmentally and evolutionarily labile than the baculum

Impact of gynecological surgery on female sexual function

Intervenciones sobre los genitales femeninos: Entre el bisturí del cirujano plástico y el cuchillo ritual

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