The cortical sensory representation of genitalia in women and men: a systematic review

Fadwa Cazala,Serge Stoléru,Nicolas Vienney

doi:10.3402/snp.v5.26428

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough genital sensations are an essential aspect of sexual behavior, the cortical somatosensory representation of genitalia in women and men remain poorly known and contradictory results have been reported.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of studies based on electrophysiological and functional neuroimaging studies, with the aim to identify insights brought by modern methods since the early descriptions of the sensory homunculus in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI).ResultsThe review supports the interpretation that there are two distinct representations of genital sensations in SI, one on the medial surface and the other on the lateral surface. In addition, the review suggests that the secondary somatosensory cortex and the posterior insula support a representation of the affective aspects of genital sensation.ConclusionIn view of the erogenous character of sensations originating in the genitalia, future studies on this topic should systematically assess qualitatively as well as quantitatively the sexually stimulating and/or sexually pleasurable characteristics of sensations felt by subjects in response to experimental stimuli.

Highlights

Genital sensations are an essential aspect of sexual behavior, the cortical somatosensory representation of genitalia in women and men remain poorly known and contradictory results have been reported
These 23 articles are presented below in two separate sections according to the temporal resolution of the imaging technique employed: (i) studies based on techniques with higher temporal resolution, i.e. MEG, EEG or somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and (ii) studies that used functional MRI (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) (16 studies), characterized by lower temporal resolution
Studies based on EEG, MEG, and SEPs In all studies based on EEG, MEG, or SEPs, electrical stimulation of the dorsal clitoral nerve (DCN), the dorsal penile nerve (DPN), or of genitalia was applied while recording and mapping SEPs or somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs)

Summary

Introduction

Genital sensations are an essential aspect of sexual behavior, the cortical somatosensory representation of genitalia in women and men remain poorly known and contradictory results have been reported. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of studies based on electrophysiological and functional neuroimaging studies, with the aim to identify insights brought by modern methods since the early descriptions of the sensory homunculus in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). Results: The review supports the interpretation that there are two distinct representations of genital sensations in SI, one on the medial surface and the other on the lateral surface. The review suggests that the secondary somatosensory cortex and the posterior insula support a representation of the affective aspects of genital sensation. Conclusion: In view of the erogenous character of sensations originating in the genitalia, future studies on this topic should systematically assess qualitatively as well as quantitatively the sexually stimulating and/or sexually pleasurable characteristics of sensations felt by subjects in response to experimental stimuli.

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Conclusion