Erogenous zones are parts of the human body which have a high sensual response to touch.

Anatomy

There are two main classes of erogenous zone in the skin.

Nonspecific. The skin is similar to normal haired skin and has the normal density of nerves and hair follicles. These areas include the sides and back of the neck, the axillas and sides of the thorax. An exaggerated tickle and anticipatory response are responsible for the heightened sensual response.

Specific. These areas produce stronger sensation and include the genitals, including prepuce, penis, clitoris, external vulva and perianal skin, lips, nipple and conjunctiva. The rete ridges of the epithelium are well formed and more of the nerves are higher in the skin than in normal haired skin.

The prepuce has mucocutaneous end-organs extending from the distal margin to the point where hairy skin starts. The thin dermis and minimal subcutaneous tissue results in closely set nerve networks. Vater-Pacini corpuscles are present. The mucocutaneous end-organs are formed after birth, with few in newborn infants and many well-organized endings in adults.

The clitoris has the most dense nerve supply of any part of the skin, with many mucocutaneos end-organs and closely set nerve networks. The Vater-Pacini corpuscle is at the base of the clitoris and the organized mucocutaneous ending is present on the entire inner surface of the labia, with greater concentration toward the clitoris. No sign of specific nerve endings has been found in deep vaginal mucosa and no intraepithial endings are present.

The glans penis has mucocutaneous end-organs over the entire surface, particularly around the coronal sulcus. Normal Vater-Pacini corpuscles are in the subcutaneous tissue of the glans. A sample of a hermaphrodite phallus had a greater density of nerve tissue than a normal glans penis and abnormal Vater-Pacini corpuscles with an enlarged inner bulb and unusally convoluted and divided nerve expansion.

Moving from the hairy skin to the glabrous skin around the anus the nerve networks rise higher in the skin and the mucocutaneous end-organ becomes apparent at the vermillion border, occurring frequently in this transition zone. The Vater-Pacini corpuscle is deep in the subcutaneous tissues.

In the lips there are rudimentary mucocutaneous end-organs in the superficial part of the skin. The nerve networks are close to the epithelium if the vermillion border of the lip and decrease in density toward the outer part. Toward the oral cavity the dermis becomes thinner and the number of organized nerve endings diminishes. Vater-Pacini corpuscles and the tactile disk are not present.

The oral cavity contains Ruffini and meissner corpusles and varicose expansions of nerves in the mucosa of the tongue.

The conjunctival nerves mostly end in free arborizations.

The areola and nipple contain Golgi-Mazzoni, Vater-Pacini and genital corpuscles. No Meissner corpucles and few organized nerve endings are present. There are concentrations of nerve tissue in the area of ducts and masses of smooth muscle. The hair in the areola adds additional sensory tissue. The mass of smooth muscle and glandular-duct tissue in the nipple and areola block the development of normal dermal nerve networks which are present in other erogenous regions and the development of special end organs.

Practical applications

Fingers

The fingertips have many nerves and are responsive to very light touches, like the brushing of a tonge or light fingernail or teeth stroking. The sides are somewhat less sensitive and more ticklish. Both light and firmer touche work well at the junction of the fingers.

Ears

Scalp

Neck

Inner thigh

Sacrum

Back of the knee

Inside of the arm

Feet

Breasts/nipples

Female genitalia

The vagina provides the most erogenous zones on the female body. There are many other erogenous zones elsewhere on the body. It is important, very important, that these other zones are not ignored during sex (from foreplay to intercourse to cuddling).

The clitoris is located above the vaginal canal. It is not always noticeable. It is pink skin beneath an inverted V.

Within the vaginal canal there is a patch of ribbed rough issue along the front of the canal. It feels something like the palate (the roof of tour mouth). This is the G-spot.

At the end of the vaginal canal is the cervix. With a female lying on her back it will be in the direction of her tailbone. It feels like a scallop. It can be extremely pleasurable but is often painful. It is located very deep inside the woman and it may be necessary to insert a finger to the knuckle to reach the cervix.

A very good sensation can be achieved if two fingers are inserted. The middle finger touching the cervix, the index finger touching the G-spot. The thumb stroking the clitoris. For an alternative use ones mouth against the clitoris and hum.

Male genitalia

See also