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The suspensory ligament of the clitoris: Connective tissue supports of the erectile tissues of the female urogenital region
Author(s) -
Rees Megan A.,
O'Connell Helen E.,
Plenter Robert J.,
Hutson John M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2353(2000)13:6<397::aid-ca1>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - clitoris , labia majora , suspensory ligament , anatomy , labia , medicine , dissection (medical) , cadaver , pubic symphysis , glans , penis , pelvis , surgery , vulva
We aimed to define the gross anatomy of the supporting structures of the clitoris. We performed a dissection of the perineum of a series of 22 female and four male cadavers. Specific dissection of the clitoral and penile suspensory ligament complex was performed in four female and two male cadavers. Serial written observations and photography were used to document the findings. Our findings were then compared with the anatomical description of these structures in the historical and current anatomical literature. The suspensory ligament of clitoris consistently displayed two components: a superficial fibro‐fatty structure extending from a broad base within the mons pubis to converge on the body of the clitoris and extending into the labia majora; in addition there is a deep component with a narrow origin on the symphysis pubis extending to the body and the bulbs of the clitoris. The supporting structures of the clitoris are more substantial and complex than previously described. Their shape, extent, and orientation are different from analogous structures of the penis, the suspensory ligament of which was found as described in the literature. Clin. Anat. 13:397–403, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.