Does the Clitoris Have a Direct Effect on Reproduction?

avatar

When it comes to reproduction in humans, Erection is very important. I do not think I have to Apologize for the type of words I might be using, since I am writing a science-oriented post, but if you need an apology for using words like Erection, then I sincerely apologize. As I said before, an Erection is very important for sexual reproduction to occur, but when there is a topic on erection, people usually focus on the male erection and it is no doubt that people would talk about it since it is very noticeable but today, I will be focusing on the female erectile tissue.


Image Credit

The male and the female erectile tissue are very similar, and they are homologous structures. In that saying, it means that the Penis and the Clitoris have the same erectile tissues. The clitoris is a cylindrical erectile tissue arising from the clitoral legs or bulbs known as the Crura of the clitoris. On the surface, the Crura of the clitoris is located beneath the labia majora (the outer lips of the vulva), in the ischial and pubic bone. The cross of the clitoris comes together to form the body of the clitoris but the only visible part of the clitoris is the Glans Clitoris, other parts are covered by genital structures. The Glans clitoris makes an ending point at the middle of the Labia minora. Anyways, to initiate erection in females, you do not need to see the entire clitoris, the Glans Clitoris is filled with sensory nerves ending and it is responsible for creating an erection and maintaining an erection.

Stimulation of the female erectile tissue can be done via two scenarios, one being tactile stimulation which has to do with touching the glans of the clitoris as well as other genital structures of the female genitals which will then send a signal to the spinal cord through the pudendal nerve sending a message to the sacral portion of the spinal cord which are the S2, S3, and S4 which then goes to the brain, and then to the internal erectile tissue of the clitoris. In most cases, the signal is only sent to the brain to inform the brain, most signals are sent from the clitoris to the spinal cord, and back to the clitoris. The other scenario is non-tactile, and such as words, imagination, smell, and sight, the brain sends the signal to the spinal cord, then sends neurotransmitters to the internal structure of the clitoris, releasing nitric oxide to the erectile tissue.

The clitoris is made up of two corpora cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa are two columns of spongy tissue that run the length of the penis and are measured about 5 inches in length in the clitoris. They are responsible for the erection of the penis and the clitoris when blood passes through the sinuses making it engorged after being dilated by Nitric oxide. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane called the tunica albuginea. When blood fills the corpora cavernosa it allows the clitoris to enlarge compared to its rest state although not as aroused as a male's penis.

Unlike the male's penis, which needs blood to fill its corpora cavernosa making it enlarged to be able to penetrate, release sperm and help procreate, the female's clitoris doesn't determine if the sperm cells with fertilize the egg. The Bulb of the vestibule which is covered by the bulbospongiosus muscle also gets erect, narrowing the vaginal canal around the penis and facilitating the climax in the release of sperm. While the clitoris isn't in the direct act of contributing to reproduction, it is responsible for making the woman reach climax and orgasm. With female orgasm, the muscles of the Pelvic floor start to contract rhythmically propelling the sperm cells towards the Uterus. The Canal of the Uterus also dilates facilitating the flow of sperm getting into it. Also, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin which facilitates the sperm cells further toward the egg when it reaches the Uterus, and the Clitoris helps to reach climax which helps with aiding a successful reproduction process.

In conclusion, the male and female genitals have homologous structures and the clitoris and penis are one of them. They both have erections and while one is visible the other stays hidden by the labia with just the Glans Clitoris of the Clitoris visible. The clitoris is very important when it comes to coitus but it indirectly has to support reproduction.



Reference

Boston University School of Medicine - Female Genital Anatomy

National Library of Medicine - Immunohistochemical study of the corpora cavernosa of the
human clitoris

National Library of Medicine - Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Female External Genitalia

National Library of Medicine - Oxytocin: the Great Facilitator of Life



0
0
0.000
5 comments
avatar

Thanks for your contribution to the STEMsocial community. Feel free to join us on discord to get to know the rest of us!

Please consider delegating to the @stemsocial account (85% of the curation rewards are returned).

Thanks for including @stemsocial as a beneficiary, which gives you stronger support. 
 

0
0
0.000
avatar

Interesting topic 😉 Currently reading it now

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks a lot. I am glad that you did read it

0
0
0.000