Women's Clitoris, Vagina, and Cervix Mapped on the Sensory Cortex: fMRI Evidence

The genital sensory cortex, identified in the classical Penfield homunculus based on electrical stimulation of the brain only in men, was confirmed for the first time in the literature by the present study in women applying clitoral, vaginal, and cervical self‐stimulation, and observing their regional brain responses using fMRI. Vaginal, clitoral, and cervical regions of activation were differentiable, consistent with innervation by different afferent nerves and different behavioral correlates. Activation of the genital sensory cortex by nipple self‐stimulation was unexpected, but suggests a neurological basis for women's reports of its erotogenic quality. Komisaruk BR, Wise N, Frangos E, Liu W‐C, Allen K, and Brody S. Women's clitoris, vagina and cervix mapped on the sensory cortex: fMRI evidence. J Sex Med 2011;8:2822-2830.