Microscope images of Krause corpuscles in the clitoris (left) and penis (right) of mice
Lijun Qi, Harvard University
Mysterious neurons in the clitoris and penis turn out to respond to vibration and light touch, and seem to be crucial for healthy sexual function and possibly pleasure. The finding solves a 160-year-old mystery and may explain why vibrators are sexually stimulating.
In 1860, Wilhelm Krause, a German anatomist, identified clusters of nerve endings in the human clitoris and penis that were named Krause corpuscles. Their function was unclear, however, and they were largely forgotten.
