Abstract
IntroductionSparse information is available regarding terminal sensory nerve endings within the glabrous skin of the female external genitalia. Receptors sense tactile stimuli encoding stimulus position, changes in temperature, pressure and pain. Diversity of possible sensations suggests the presence of a variety of receptor types. This neuro‐histological study seeks to document presence and characteristics of cutaneous sensory receptors in female genital tissue.Materials and MethodsLabial skin samples from ten girls who underwent surgery for labial fusion were waste tissue, obtained after informed consent from parent or legal guardian. Cajal‐type silver impregnation, immunocytochemistry against protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) was performed.ResultsDense innervation of labia minora epidermis with intense staining along the introital versus the external border was noted. Free nerve endings were identified in papillary dermis. Sensory corpuscles: non‐capsulated, Meissner‐like corpuscles, scattered in dermal papillae interdigitated with epidermal ridges of the skin, encapsulated corpuscles protruded into epidermis from deep dermis, Merkel cell‐neurite complex was identified in stratum basale and spinosum. Encapsulated corpuscles and cells located in the inner and outer core were strongly positive to PGP 9.5.
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