Amsterdam Researchers Complete Comprehensive 3D Map of Clitoral Nerve Structure

Researchers at the Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC) have produced the first comprehensive three-dimensional map detailing the internal nerve structure of the clitoris, marking a significant advance in anatomical science. The study, led by Ju Young Lee, utilized advanced imaging on two postmortem female pelvic samples to visualize nerve pathways with high fidelity. This work, initially shared as a preprint on the bioRxiv server in March 2026, provides a detailed visualization of this critical organ for female sexual function.

The team employed Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT), a state-of-the-art technique that leverages high-energy, coherent X-rays from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France. This methodology generated Computed Tomography (CT) scans at a micron-scale resolution, capable of visualizing biological structures down to 0.2mm in diameter, a level of detail unattainable through conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or standard dissection. The resulting 3D data revealed the complete trajectory of the Dorsal Nerve of the Clitoris (DNC), the primary sensory nerve, offering a direct challenge to prior, simplified anatomical models.

Key findings from the mapping effort directly contradict earlier assumptions, particularly regarding the DNC’s path within the clitoral glans. The research demonstrated that the DNC maintains a complex, robust, tree-like branching pattern within the glans, identifying five large nerve trunks. Furthermore, the mapping traced branches of the DNC extending to innervate the surrounding clitoral hood and the mons pubis, areas whose nerve distribution was previously not fully accounted for in anatomical records. This detailed mapping effort follows the establishment of a comparable nerve map for the penis nearly three decades prior.

The immediate practical implications of this detailed anatomical understanding are substantial for clinical precision in patient care. The precise location and trajectory of these nerve bundles are critical for surgeons performing pelvic operations, including those for vulvar cancer, gender affirmation, or reconstructive procedures following Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Improved knowledge aims to prevent unintended nerve damage and subsequent loss of sexual function, such as the reported decline in orgasmic experience following some FGM reconstruction surgeries. The researchers hope this foundational, high-resolution reference data will stimulate further investigation into female sexual health, moving beyond outdated textbook representations.