The clitoris, long neglected in medical research, is finally revealing its secrets. Historically, for every study on the clitoral gland, 20 focused on its male counterpart, the penile gland, according to Prof Blair Peters. Medical disciplines have left it out—urology focuses on urinary tracts and penises, while gynaecology examines reproductive organs, not the clitoris. For much of the 20th century, male-dominated medical research determined which anatomy deserved study, leading to the clitoris being removed from the 1947 Gray's Anatomy textbook.
Breakthroughs are changing this. In 1998, Australian urologist Helen O'Connell first accurately depicted the entire organ, including internal structures beneath the pubic bone. Earlier this year, Dr Ju Young Lee from Amsterdam UMC created the first digital map of clitoral nerves using CT imaging, tracing pathways to a thousandth of a millimetre. The research revealed the dorsal nerve branches like a tree rather than tapering, with extensive connections to the clitoral hood and surrounding skin.
Peters, a plastic surgeon specializing in gender-affirming care, describes the clitoris as a "half-closed flower bud" with external head and internal petals. His 2022 work found over 10,000 nerve endings in the clitoral dorsal nerve—far exceeding the previous estimate of 8,000 based on animal subjects. This research promises improved care for women's health, particularly regarding the urethra and vagina, which are closely located to the clitoris.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing