Generic placeholder image

Current Medical Imaging

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-4056
ISSN (Online): 1875-6603

Review Article

Clitoral Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology Demystified by Imaging

Author(s): Diomidis Botsikas*, Amal Djema, Marlise Picarra, Patrick Petignat, Xavier Montet, Benedicte Delattre, Karen Kinkel and Jasmine Abdulcadir

Volume 14, Issue 3, 2018

Page: [366 - 373] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1573405613666170126124117

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Clitoris is an organ, whose only known function is sexual pleasure. Clinically, clitoris is only partially visible. Therefore medical imaging is important for studying it.

Objective: Knowledge of radiologic anatomy and variations of the clitoris is useful for studying female sexual function, understanding it's pathological conditions and planning clitoral surgical interventions.

Discussion: Anatomy of clitoris is complex with an external part, including the glans and a body and an internally lying part, the crura, in contact with vestibular bulbs. Ultrasound offers high spatial resolution and possibility of dynamic assessment allowing optimal exploration of the superficial parts of the organ. MRI is the imaging modality of choice for investigating anatomy of the whole organ, including its' deep-lying parts. It has excellent soft tissue contrast and the possibility of imaging in all planes.

Conclusion: In this article, are presented imaging methods assessing normal clitoral anatomy and physiology, as well as the main pathological conditions of the organ as assessed by imaging.

Keywords: Clitoris, anatomy, MRI, ultrasound, physiology, imaging.

Graphical Abstract

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy