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. 1999 Dec;319(7225):1596-600.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.319.7225.1596.

Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal

W W Schultz  1 , P van Andel, I Sabelis, E Mooyaart
Affiliations

Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal

W W Schultz et al. BMJ. 1999 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To find out whether taking images of the male and female genitals during coitus is feasible and to find out whether former and current ideas about the anatomy during sexual intercourse and during female sexual arousal are based on assumptions or on facts.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: University hospital in the Netherlands.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to study the female sexual response and the male and female genitals during coitus. Thirteen experiments were performed with eight couples and three single women.

Results: The images obtained showed that during intercourse in the "missionary position" the penis has the shape of a boomerang and 1/3 of its length consists of the root of the penis. During female sexual arousal without intercourse the uterus was raised and the anterior vaginal wall lengthened. The size of the uterus did not increase during sexual arousal.

Conclusion: Taking magnetic resonance images of the male and female genitals during coitus is feasible and contributes to understanding of anatomy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
“The Copulation” as imagined and drawn by Leonardo da Vinci.2 With permission from the Royal Collection. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is gratefully acknowledged
Figure 2
Figure 2
Midsagittal image of the anatomy of sexual intercourse envisaged by R L Dickinson and drawn by R S Kendall3
Figure 3
Figure 3
Midsagittal image of the anatomy of sexual intercourse (experiment 12). P=penis, Ur=urethra, Pe=perineum, U=uterus, S=symphysis, B=bladder, I=intestine, L5=lumbar 5, Sc=scrotum
Figure 3
Figure 3
Midsagittal image of the anatomy of sexual intercourse (experiment 12). P=penis, Ur=urethra, Pe=perineum, U=uterus, S=symphysis, B=bladder, I=intestine, L5=lumbar 5, Sc=scrotum
Figure 4
Figure 4
Midsagittal images of sexual response in a multiparous woman (experiment 9): (left) at rest; (centre) pre-orgasmic phase; (right) 20 minutes after orgasm
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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