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

Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology
Fadwa CazalaSerge Stoléru

Abstract

Background : Although 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. In addition, 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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Citations

Oct 30, 2016·Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology·Nan J WiseBarry R Komisaruk
Oct 1, 2019·Brain and Behavior·Rocco S CalabròGiuseppe Anastasi
Feb 6, 2020·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Anastasios ZiogasAndreas Mokros
Jul 26, 2017·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open·Roberto Doria-MedinaGennaro Selvaggi
May 30, 2017·Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia·Laurent Misery, Matthieu Talagas
Oct 18, 2020·Brain Topography·Stéphanie van der LelyMartina D Liechti

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