Clitoral erection

Clitoral erection (also known as clitoral tumescence or female erection)^[1]^[2] is a physiological phenomenon where the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm.

Clitoral erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal. Erections should eventually subside, and the prolonged state of clitoral erection even while not aroused is a condition that could become painful.^[3] This swelling and shrinking to a relaxed state seems linked to nitric oxide's effects on tissues in the clitoris, similar to its role in penile erection.^[4]

^ Kirshblum, Steven; Lin, Vernon W. (2018). Spinal Cord Medicine, Third Edition. Springer Publishing Company. p. 413. ISBN 978-0-8261-3775-3. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
^ Hall, John (2016). Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier. p. 1052. ISBN 978-1-4557-7005-2. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
^ Medina, Carlos A (1 November 2002). "Clitoral priapism: a rare condition presenting as a cause of vulvar pain". Obstetrics & Gynecology. 100 (5, Part 2): 1089–1091. doi:10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02084-7. ISSN 0029-7844. PMID 12423816. S2CID 20764733.
^ Gragasin, F. S., Michelakis, E. D., Hogan, A., Moudgil, R., Hashimoto, K., Wu, X., ... & Archer, S. L. (2004). The neurovascular mechanism of clitoral erection: Nitric oxide and cGMP‐stimulated activation of BKCa channels. The FASEB journal, 18(12), 1382-1391.

[1] Kirshblum, Steven; Lin, Vernon W. (2018). Spinal Cord Medicine, Third Edition. Springer Publishing Company. p. 413. ISBN 978-0-8261-3775-3. Retrieved 3 October 2023.

[2] Hall, John (2016). Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier. p. 1052. ISBN 978-1-4557-7005-2. Retrieved 3 October 2023.

[Medina-2002-3] Medina, Carlos A (1 November 2002). "Clitoral priapism: a rare condition presenting as a cause of vulvar pain". Obstetrics & Gynecology. 100 (5, Part 2): 1089–1091. doi:10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02084-7. ISSN 0029-7844. PMID 12423816. S2CID 20764733.

[4] Gragasin, F. S., Michelakis, E. D., Hogan, A., Moudgil, R., Hashimoto, K., Wu, X., ... & Archer, S. L. (2004). The neurovascular mechanism of clitoral erection: Nitric oxide and cGMP‐stimulated activation of BKCa channels. The FASEB journal, 18(12), 1382-1391.

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