Anatomy of the clitoris and its impact on neophalloplasty (metoidioplasty) in female transgenders

• Published in: Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2015-04, Vol.28 (3), p.368-375
• Main Authors: Stojanovic, Borko, Djordjevic, Miroslav L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anatomy; clitoris; Clitoris - anatomy & histology; Clitoris - surgery; Female; female transgender; Humans; Male; neophalloplasty; Orgasm - physiology; Penis - anatomy & histology; Penis - surgery; Psychosexual Development - physiology; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Surgical Flaps - surgery; Transgender Persons; Urethra - anatomy & histology; Urethra - surgery; Urogenital Surgical Procedures - methods; Vagina - anatomy & histology; Vagina - surgery
• ISSN: 0897-3806; 1098-2353
• DOI: 10.1002/ca.22525

The current management of female to male transgender surgery is based on the advances in neophalloplasty, perioperative care and the knowledge of the female genital anatomy, as well as the changes that occur to this anatomy with preoperative hormonal changes in transgender population. Since the clitoris plays the main role in female sexual satisfaction, its impact on the outcome in female to male transgender surgery is predictable. Although female genital anatomy was poorly described in majority of anatomical textbooks, recent studies have provided a better insight in important details such as neurovascular supply, ligaments, body configuration, and relationship with urethral/vaginal complex. This article aims to review current state of knowledge of the clitoral anatomy as well its impact on clitoral reconstruction in female to male sex reassignment surgery. Clin. Anat. 28:368–375, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.