Article
The historical development of the representation of the clitoris
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Authors
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Lea Apitz
- University of Applied Sciences, Bochum, Germany
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Ute Lange
- University of Applied Sciences, Bochum, Germany
| Published: | February 7, 2024 |
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Outline
Text
Background: The right to sexual education includes the correct presentation of anatomical facts. It is basic knowledge that is needed to be able to contribute to sexual health. The inadequate current representation of the clitoral complex in textbooks contradicts this.
Aim/question: To contribute to a better understanding of the history of the clitoris in order to better define the clitoris and the erogenous areas of the vulva and vagina. In order to be able to approach the reasons for the mostly missing knowledge about the clitoris or the clitoral complex in textbooks, the historical representation of this knowledge is to be examined in this thesis. The research question of the bachelor thesis was: “How has the representation of the clitoris developed figuratively and linguistically?”
Methodology: In the thesis, several specialist and textbooks from just under 500 B.C. to the present day were examined for the quality and quantity of the knowledge represented, using a specially prepared analysis scheme.
Results: Both the analysis scheme and knowledge about the clitoral complex, which went far beyond the usual “textbook knowledge” of this region, could be obtained first. The result of the literature analysis was that very little knowledge presented itself until about 1500. Only then could clitoral structures hidden beneath the skin surface be explored through cadaver dissections. From then on, the presentation of the clitoris was such that textbooks of various disciplines presented more and more knowledge. Current textbooks did not. In the latter, the representation is mostly even qualitatively and quantitatively significantly below an important anatomical study of 1844 by G. L. Kobelt.
Relevance: Sustainable use of knowledge is to draw benefits and consequences for the future from past and present knowledge.
Recommendations/conclusion: The presentation of the clitoral complex in textbooks should be adapted according to the state of knowledge in the primary literature, as people of all genders would benefit from it.
Ethics and conflicts of interest: This abstract was written in the context of a bachelor’s thesis. A vote on ethics was not necessary. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.
