Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1762873 | Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology | 2006 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
There has been no objective means for imaging the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the clitoris-a poorly understood, complex structure. A Live 3D ultrasound system with a matrix-array transducer was used for data acquisition from eight women. The transducer was positioned in front of and about 3 cm away from the clitoris, with a gel pad or water pad being placed in between. The pads allowed the delicate structures to be imaged without noticeable deformation. Quality images could be obtained with use of a water pad in all patients. The imaging volume was big enough to cover the clitoral glans and body simultaneously, allowing real-time 3D visualisation. To cover the entire clitoris, the probe was moved from one side of the crus to the other, or a four subvolume scan was performed. 3D clitoral anatomy was depicted from 71% of 51 water pad data-sets. The study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining 3D clitoral ultrasound images. This will improve scientific and clinical understanding of the clitoral role in sexual activity. The minimally-compressive scanning offers an opportunity to visualise dynamic 3D (4D) morphology of other deformable body parts.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Acoustics and Ultrasonics
Authors
Jing Deng, Naomi S. Crouch, Sarah M. Creighton, Alfred D. Linney, Andrew Todd-Pokropek, Charles H. Rodeck,