Anatomic distribution of nerves and microvascular density in the human anterior vaginal wall: prospective study.

Ting Li,Qinping Liao,Xueying Li,Miao Zhang,Xuelian Gao,Hong Zhang,William Phillips

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110239

Abstract

BackgroundThe presence of the G-spot (an assumed erotic sensitive area in the anterior wall of the vagina) remains controversial. We explored the histomorphological basis of the G-spot.MethodsBiopsies were drawn from a 12 o’clock direction in the distal- and proximal-third areas of the anterior vagina of 32 Chinese subjects. The total number of protein gene product 9.5–immunoreactive nerves and smooth muscle actin–immunoreactive blood vessels in each specimen was quantified using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase assay.ResultsVaginal innervation was observed in the lamina propria and muscle layer of the anterior vaginal wall. The distal-third of the anterior vaginal wall had significantly richer small-nerve-fiber innervation in the lamina propria than the proximal-third (p = 0.000) and in the vaginal muscle layer (p = 0.006). There were abundant microvessels in the lamina propria and muscle layer, but no small vessels in the lamina propria and few in the muscle layer. Significant differences were noted in the number of microvessels when comparing the distal- with proximal-third parts in the lamina propria (p = 0.046) and muscle layer (p = 0.002).ConclusionsSignificantly increased density of nerves and microvessels in the distal-third of the anterior vaginal wall could be the histomorphological basis of the G-spot. Distal anterior vaginal repair could disrupt the normal anatomy, neurovascular supply and function of the G-spot, and cause sexual dysfunction.

Highlights

The ‘‘Grafenberg spot’’ (‘‘G-spot’’) was named by John Perry and Beverly Whipple [1] in reference to the pioneering work of Dr Ernst Grafenberg in 1950 [2]
Nerves Nerve fibers were observed in all specimens, but not in the vaginal epithelium
Small nerve fibers were detected in the lamina propria and muscle layers of distal- and proximal-third areas

Summary

Introduction

The ‘‘Grafenberg spot’’ (‘‘G-spot’’) was named by John Perry and Beverly Whipple [1] in reference to the pioneering work of Dr Ernst Grafenberg in 1950 [2]. A questionnaire study in the USA and Canada showed that most women could feel and locate their G-spot [4]. In a large study investigating the underlying genetic basis of the G-spot, Burri et al found a lack of heritability of the ability by women to detect their own G-spot [14]. They postulated that the reason for the lack of genetic variation was that there was no physiological or physical proof for the G-spot [14]. The presence of the G-spot (an assumed erotic sensitive area in the anterior wall of the vagina) remains controversial.

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