Sexism in Anatomy: A Photographic Atlas (Rohen)

People have been telling me that general anatomy textbooks are not sexist. They insist that there is an even-handed approach to genital anatomy. Let’s take a look. This review is of the most recent edition (2015).

In this textbook, there are 37 images of the penis and 14 of the clitoris in the chapters on pelvic anatomy. While images of the penis show detailed dissections, complete with nerves and vasculature, such detail is never shown for the clitoris. Most photos of the clitoris show only the external anatomy. Though these are cadaver dissections, it’s almost like they want to keep it pornographic. Who wants to cut into a clitoris? Am I right?

Overall there are 18 pages dedicated to male genital organs. There are 14 pages dedicated to female genital organs, including uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc.

Clitoris

This is the most detailed dissection of a clitoris. In this one, they at least remove the skin of the prepuce to expose the glans and fascia. They never dissect beyond this point. See how big the dorsal nerve is going into the clitoral body. Where do people think that thing goes? It travels mostly intact until terminal branching at the glans. Why not show that?

Penis

Here is the equivalent of the image above. Note how only the skin has been removed but the fascia has not. Imagine if the anatomy stopped here, as it does with the clitoris.

Of course it doesn’t stop. They dissect the fascia to show the nerves and vessels underneath. Consider why they don’t bother doing this for the clitoris.

Also consider why they don’t show this level of detail for the clitoris. Cross sections of the clitoris should be important.