Clitoral erection

{{Short description|Physiological phenomenon involving the engorgement of the clitoris}}

Clitoral erection (also known as clitoral tumescence or female erection){{cite book|last1=Kirshblum|first1=Steven|last2=Lin|first2=Vernon W.|title=Spinal Cord Medicine, Third Edition|publisher=Springer Publishing Company|year=2018|page=413|access-date=October 3, 2023|isbn=978-0-8261-3775-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxNqDwAAQBAJ&dq=%E2%80%9Cclitoral+tumescence%E2%80%9D+-nocturnal+%E2%80%9Cerection%E2%80%9D&pg=PA413}}{{cite book|last=Hall|first=John|title=Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology|publisher=Elsevier|year=2016|page=1052|access-date=October 3, 2023|isbn=978-1-4557-7005-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3sWNCgAAQBAJ&dq=%E2%80%9Cfemale+erection%E2%80%9D+-nocturnal+%E2%80%9Cclitoris%E2%80%9D&pg=PA1052}} is a physiological phenomenon where the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm.

Clitoral erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal. Erections should eventually subside, and the prolonged state of clitoral erection even while not aroused is a condition that could become painful.{{Cite journal |last = Medina |first = Carlos A |date = 1 November 2002 |title = Clitoral priapism: a rare condition presenting as a cause of vulvar pain |url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029784402020847 |journal = Obstetrics & Gynecology |language = en |volume = 100 |issue = 5, Part 2 |pages = 1089–1091 |doi = 10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02084-7 |pmid = 12423816 |s2cid = 20764733 |issn = 0029-7844 }} This swelling and shrinking to a relaxed state seems linked to nitric oxide's effects on tissues in the clitoris, similar to its role in penile erection.Gragasin, F. S., Michelakis, E. D., Hogan, A., Moudgil, R., Hashimoto, K., Wu, X., ... & Archer, S. L. (2004). The neurovascular mechanism of clitoral erection: Nitric oxide and cGMP‐stimulated activation of BKCa channels. The FASEB journal, 18(12), 1382-1391.

Physiology

File:Clitoral anatomy updated.jpg, with the clitoral hood and labia minora indicated as lines.]]

The clitoris is the homolog to the penis in the male. Similarly, the clitoris and its erection can subtly differ in size.{{Cite journal |last1 = Jackson |first1 = Lindsey A. |last2 = Hare |first2 = Adam M. |last3 = Carrick |first3 = Kelley S. |last4 = Ramirez |first4 = Denise M. O. |last5 = Hamner |first5 = Jennifer J. |last6 = Corton |first6 = Marlene M. |date = 1 November 2019 |title = Anatomy, histology, and nerve density of clitoris and associated structures: clinical applications to vulvar surgery |journal = American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |language = en |volume = 221 |issue = 5 |pages = 519.e1–519.e9 |doi = 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.048 |pmid = 31254525 |s2cid = 195758555 |issn = 0002-9378 |doi-access = free }}

The visible part of the clitoris, the glans clitoridis, varies in size from a few millimeters to one centimeter and is located at the front junction of the labia minora (inner lips), above the opening of the urethra. It is covered by the clitoral hood.

Any type of motion can increase blood flow to this organ and this results in increased secretions which lubricate the vagina. There are many ways to stimulate the clitoris.

Clitoral erection occurs when the corpora cavernosa, two expandable erectile structures, become engorged with blood. This may result from any of various physiological stimuli, including sexual arousal. During sexual arousal, arterial blood flow to the clitoris is increased, and trabecular smooth muscle within the clitoris relaxes allowing blood to engorge the erectile tissues. The ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles contract to compress the dorsal vein of the clitoris to stop drainage of the clitoris, trapping the blood.{{cite book |last1 = Dean O'Loughlin |first1 = Valerie |last2 = Stouter Bidle |first2 = Theresa |last3 = McKinley |first3 = Michael P. |title = Anatomy and Physiology: An Integrative Approach |date = 2022 |publisher = McGraw Hill |isbn = 978-1-264-26541-1 |page = 395 |edition = Fourth |chapter = Muscular System: Axial and Appendicular Muscles }} The erectile tissues are composed of endothelium-lined vascular spaces in a trabecular matrix, with the endothelium-lined vascular spaces surrounded by smooth muscle capable of contraction and relaxation.

During sexual arousal, arterial blood flow to the clitoris is increased, and within the clitoris, the arteries further branch to supply the erectile tissues. The trabecular smooth muscles of the erectile tissue relax increasing blood flow to fill the vascular spaces, and expanding the erectile tissues until they are fully engorged with blood.{{Cite book |last1 = Bono |first1 = Christopher M. |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=I2n5hTAxdTYC&q=tunica+albuginea+glans+clitoridis&pg=PT1498 |title = Spinal Cord Medicine: Principles and Practice |last2 = Lin |first2 = Vernon W. |date = 14 May 2014 |publisher = Demos Medical Publishing |isbn = 978-1-935281-77-1 |edition = 2nd |page = 1176 |access-date = 17 March 2015 |archive-date = 28 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050943/https://books.google.com/books?id=I2n5hTAxdTYC&q=tunica+albuginea+glans+clitoridis&pg=PT1498 |url-status = live }} The ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles contract, compressing the dorsal vein of the clitoris. This compression of the vein restricts drainage of the erectile structures, trapping the blood.{{Cite book |last1 = Hornstein |first1 = Theresa |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ibgKAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 |title = Biology Of Women |last2 = Schwerin |first2 = Jeri |date = 1 January 2012 |publisher = Cengage Learning |isbn = 978-1-285-40102-7 |edition = 5th |pages = 62–63 of 816 |access-date = 17 March 2015 |archive-date = 28 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050944/https://books.google.com/books?id=ibgKAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 |url-status = live }} This process stretches the tunica albuginea. As a result, the clitoris becomes tumescent to accommodate the increased intracavernosous pressure. The tunica albuginea of the clitoris is made up of one layer making it more elastic than the tunica albuginea of the penis, which is composed of two layers.{{Cite book |last1 = Goldstein |first1 = Irwin |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=T5P_5UwqYhoC&q=clitoral+tumescence&pg=PA176 |title = Women's Sexual Function and Dysfunction:Study, Diagnosis, and Treatment |last2 = Meston |first2 = Cindy M. |last3 = Davis |first3 = Susan |last4 = Traish |first4 = Abdulmaged |date = 17 November 2005 |publisher = CRC Press |isbn = 978-1-84214-263-9 |page = 176 |access-date = 5 November 2020 |archive-date = 28 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050945/https://books.google.com/books?id=T5P_5UwqYhoC&q=clitoral+tumescence&pg=PA176 |url-status = live }} Erick Janssen (2007) elaborates on this reporting that "the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris are essentially similar to that of the penis except that there is no subalbugineal layer interposed between the tunica albuginea and the erectile tissue. In the penis, this{{Cite book |last = Jansen |first = Erick |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=L69jo3cPCW0C&q=clitoral+erection+tunica&pg=PA41 |title = The Psychophysiology of Sex |date = September 27, 2007 |publisher = Indiana University Press |isbn = 978-0-253-11704-5 |page = 41 |access-date = 29 March 2015 |archive-date = 28 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050945/https://books.google.com/books?id=L69jo3cPCW0C&q=clitoral+erection+tunica&pg=PA41 |url-status = live }} tissue engorges with blood during sexual arousal and becomes compressed against the unyielding tunica, creating penile rigidity{{snds}}a true erection. The lack of this plexus in the clitoris indicates that while the organ can become tumescent or engorged, it cannot, like the penis, become stiffly erect. The clitoris thus does not become erect with sexual excitement, but engorged." In addition, the tunica albuginea around the glans is thinner than around the shaft in both the clitoris and penis. This gives the glans less firmness relative to the shaft. The extrusion of the glans clitoridis and thinning of the skin enhances sensitivity to physical contact. After a female has orgasmed, the erection usually ends, but this may take time.

Medical conditions

= Clitoral priapism =

Priapism, while more common in males, is a condition that can also affect the clitoris. Symptoms include painful engorgement, swelling, and pain in the area around the clitoris.{{Cite journal |last1 = Yafi |first1 = Faysal A. |last2 = April |first2 = Daniel |last3 = Powers |first3 = Mary K. |last4 = Sangkum |first4 = Premsant |last5 = Hellstrom |first5 = Wayne J. G. |date = July 2015 |title = Penile Priapism, Clitoral Priapism, and Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder: A Contemporary Review |url = https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27784607/ |journal = Sexual Medicine Reviews |volume = 3 |issue = 3 |pages = 145–159 |doi = 10.1002/smrj.51 |issn = 2050-0521 |pmid = 27784607 |access-date = 2 December 2021 |archive-date = 15 November 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211115001246/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27784607/ |url-status = live }}

Other animals

Among capuchin monkeys, clitoral erection is possible and makes the clitoris more visible than in its relaxed state where it is hidden by a preputial fold.Carosi, M, Spani, F, Ulland, AE, Scalici, M, Suomi, SJ. Clitoral length in immature and mature captive tufted capuchin (Sapajus spp.) females: A cross-sectional study. Am J Primatol. 2020; 82:e23135. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23135

== See also ==

Notes

== References ==

{{Cite journal |last1 = Akkus |first1 = E. C. |last2 = Carrier |first2 = S. |last3 = Turzan |first3 = C. |last4 = Wang |first4 = T. N. |last5 = Lue |first5 = F. |date = Apr 1995 |title = Duplex ultrasonography after prostaglandin E1 injection of the clitoris in a case of hyperreactio luteinalis |journal = The Journal of Urology |volume = 153 |issue = 4 |pages = 1237–1238 |doi = 10.1016/S0022-5347(01)67566-9 |issn = 0022-5347 |pmid = 7869513 }}
{{Cite journal |last = Gharahbaghian |first = L. |date = 1 November 2008 |title = Clitoral priapism with no known risk factors |journal = The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |volume = 9 |issue = 4 |pages = 235–237 |issn = 1936-900X |pmc = 2672283 |pmid = 19561754 }}
{{Cite journal |last1 = Gragasin |first1 = S. |last2 = Michelakis |first2 = D. |last3 = Hogan |first3 = A. |last4 = Moudgil |first4 = R. |last5 = Hashimoto |first5 = K. |last6 = Wu |first6 = X. |last7 = Bonnet |first7 = S. |last8 = Haromy |first8 = A. |last9 = Archer |first9 = L. |date = Sep 2004 |title = The neurovascular mechanism of clitoral erection: nitric oxide and cGMP-stimulated activation of BKCa channels |url = http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=15333581 |format = Free full text |journal = The FASEB Journal |volume = 18 |issue = 12 |pages = 1382–1391 |doi = 10.1096/fj.04-1978com |doi-access = free |issn = 0892-6638 |pmid = 15333581 |s2cid = 45447939 }}
{{Cite journal |last1 = Park |first1 = K. G. |last2 = Goldstein |first2 = I. |last3 = Andry |first3 = C. |last4 = Siroky |first4 = M. B. |last5 = Krane |first5 = R. J. |last6 = Azadzoi |first6 = K. M. |date = Mar 1997 |title = Vasculogenic female sexual dysfunction: the hemodynamic basis for vaginal engorgement insufficiency and clitoral erectile insufficiency |journal = International Journal of Impotence Research |volume = 9 |issue = 1 |pages = 27–37 |doi = 10.1038/sj.ijir.3900258 |issn = 0955-9930 |pmid = 9138056 |doi-access = free }}
{{Cite journal |last1 = Shen |first1 = W. U. |last2 = Urosevich |first2 = Z. |last3 = Clayton |first3 = D. O. |date = June 1999 |title = Sildenafil in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction induced by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |journal = The Journal of Reproductive Medicine |volume = 44 |issue = 6 |pages = 535–542 |issn = 0024-7758 |pmid = 10394548 }}
{{Cite journal |last1 = Toesca |first1 = A. S. |last2 = Stolfi |first2 = V. M. |last3 = Cocchia |first3 = D. |date = 1 June 1996 |title = Immunohistochemical study of the corpora cavernosa of the human clitoris |journal = Journal of Anatomy |volume = 188 |issue = Pt 3 |pages = 513–520 |issn = 0021-8782 |pmc = 1167479 |pmid = 8763468 }}

Category:Gynaecology

Category:Sexual arousal

Category:Clitoris