title: Anatomic variation and orgasm: Could variations in anatomy explain differences in orgasmic success?
abstract: Though the public consciousness is typically focused on factors such as psychology, penis size, and the presence of the "G-spot," there are other anatomical and neuro-anatomic differences that could play an equal, or more important, role in the frequency and intensity of orgasms. Discovering these variations could direct further medical or procedural management to improve sexual satisfaction. The aim of this study is to review the available literature of anatomical sexual variation and to explain why this variation may predispose some patients toward a particular sexual experience. In this review, we explored the available literature on sexual anatomy and neuro-anatomy. We used PubMed and OVID Medline for search terms, including orgasm, penile size variation, clitoral variation, Grafenberg spot, and benefits of orgasm. First we review the basic anatomy and innervation of the reproductive organs. Then we describe several anatomical variations that likely play a superior role to popular known variation (penis size, presence of g-spot, etc). For males, the delicate play between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems is vital to achieve orgasm. For females, the autonomic component is more complex. The clitoris is the primary anatomical feature for female orgasm, including its migration toward the anterior vaginal wall. In conclusions, orgasms are complex phenomena involving psychological, physiological, and anatomic variation. While these variations predispose people to certain sexual function, future research should explore how to surgically or medically alter these. Clin. Anat. 29:665-672, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Class of 2016, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46220.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emhardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46805.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm
keywords: G-spot; anatomic variation; clitoris; orgasm; penile erection; physiological; sexual dysfunction