{
    "abstract": "Although recent studies have enhanced our understanding of the anatomy of the clitoris and its somatic innervation, less emphasis has been placed on the anatomic relationships of the clitoris to its surrounding structures.\nThis study aimed to further characterize the gross and histologic relationships of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and urethra.\nDetailed dissections were performed in 30 unembalmed female cadavers. In 23 specimens, gross dissections were performed, and relationships of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and urethra were annotated. Histologic evaluation was performed in 7 specimens, in which tissues were harvested within 24 hours from death. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses.\nThe clitoral body consisted of 2 components, the proximal body and the distal body. The distal body was oriented \u226490\u00b0 from the proximal body, forming an outer and inner angle at the inflection point. A \"septumlike\" arrangement of fibroconnective and vascular tissues was noted between the inner angle of the clitoral body and the urethra. Neurovascular bundles coursed laterally along the clitoral body and the surfaces of the crura and vestibular bulbs. The vestibular bulbs approached each other over the ventral surface of the urethra, at the commissure of the vestibular bulbs. Each bulb was separated by fibrous tissue and did not merge along the midline. The vestibular bulbs approximated the clitoral body, but the erectile tissue of the vestibular bulbs was separated from the corpora cavernosa of the clitoral body by the tunica albuginea. The erectile tissue of the vestibular bulbs abutted the ventrolateral walls of the urethra but was separated from the urethral mucosa by an indiscrete layer of erectilelike tissue with dense stroma.\nThis study provided gross and histological confirmation of the relationships of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and urethra. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the clitoris is crucial for reducing surgical complications associated with periclitoral and distal urethral procedures, which may adversely affect sexual arousal and sexual function.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address: erryn.tappy@utsouthwestern.edu.",
            "firstname": "Erryn E",
            "initials": "EE",
            "lastname": "Tappy"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.",
            "firstname": "Kelley S",
            "initials": "KS",
            "lastname": "Carrick"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.",
            "firstname": "Denise M O",
            "initials": "DMO",
            "lastname": "Ramirez"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.",
            "firstname": "Polina",
            "initials": "P",
            "lastname": "Sawyer"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.",
            "firstname": "Marlene M",
            "initials": "MM",
            "lastname": "Corton"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": "This study provided gross and histological confirmation of the relationships of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and urethra. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the clitoris is crucial for reducing surgical complications associated with periclitoral and distal urethral procedures, which may adversely affect sexual arousal and sexual function.",
    "copyrights": "Copyright \u00a9 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.",
    "doi": "10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.011",
    "journal": "American journal of obstetrics and gynecology",
    "keywords": [
        "clitoris",
        "sexual dysfunction",
        "urethra",
        "vestibular bulbs",
        "vulvar anatomy"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2023-02-25",
    "pubmed_id": "36828296",
    "results": "The clitoral body consisted of 2 components, the proximal body and the distal body. The distal body was oriented \u226490\u00b0 from the proximal body, forming an outer and inner angle at the inflection point. A \"septumlike\" arrangement of fibroconnective and vascular tissues was noted between the inner angle of the clitoral body and the urethra. Neurovascular bundles coursed laterally along the clitoral body and the surfaces of the crura and vestibular bulbs. The vestibular bulbs approached each other over the ventral surface of the urethra, at the commissure of the vestibular bulbs. Each bulb was separated by fibrous tissue and did not merge along the midline. The vestibular bulbs approximated the clitoral body, but the erectile tissue of the vestibular bulbs was separated from the corpora cavernosa of the clitoral body by the tunica albuginea. The erectile tissue of the vestibular bulbs abutted the ventrolateral walls of the urethra but was separated from the urethral mucosa by an indiscrete layer of erectilelike tissue with dense stroma.",
    "title": "Anatomic relationships of the clitoral body, bulbs of the vestibule, and urethra.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788504f4f7e0>"
}