The clitoris, like so much of the female sexual anatomy, remains shrouded in shame, mystery, and misinformation. To this day, it remains absent from many scientific textbooks and even medical manuscripts, and scientists have yet to fully comprehend its function in reproduction. Did you know that it wasn’t until the late 20th century that we gained a more thorough understanding of its anatomy?

Read on for a deep dive into one of our favorite body parts, including its anatomy, functions, and importance, as well as interesting facts and misconceptions surrounding it.

The Anatomy of Your Clitoris 

The clitoris is found at the uppermost part of the vulva, under what is called the clitoral hood. More accurately, however, that is the only visible part of the clitoris, also known as the glans, as most of it is hidden under the tissue of the vulva.

In 1998, Helen O'Connell, an Australian urologist, made a groundbreaking discovery about the clitoris. She proposed that there was more to the clitoris than just the visible glans, which is the small nub covered by the clitoral hood. This was a significant revelation that marked a turning point in the understanding of female sexual anatomy. By utilizing photography to map the nerve structure of the clitoris, O'Connell and her team discovered that there was a substantial amount of clitoral erectile tissue hidden inside the body, including the area under the clitoral hood.

We like to think of the clitoris as an iceberg, with only a small portion peaking out. Its external anatomy includes the clitoral hood and glans, while the internal parts consist of the body, root, crura, and vestibular bulbs. The glans, which is the most sensitive part of the clitoris with thousands of nerve endings, varies in size from person to person and can range from 0.5 to 3.5 centimeters.

If you’ve been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), your clitoris may not be visible to you. There are varying degrees of FGM, ranging from just a nip to the clitoris to the full removal of all external sexual organs.

Your Pleasure Powerhouse

The clitoris' primary function is to provide pleasure, with no direct involvement in reproduction. For most women, it plays an absolutely crucial role in sexual orgasm. Indeed, 75% of women require clitoral stimulation in order to climax during sex.  

Facts and Misconceptions

• The visible part of the clitoris is just the tip of the iceberg, with most of the clitoris hidden inside the body. The internal shafts, called the crura, are spongy, long, and extend along the sides of the vagina.
• The clitoris is the most nerve-rich part of the vulva, containing thousands of nerve endings.
• Every clitoris is unique, requiring individualized stimulation to achieve satisfaction. Some people prefer direct stimulation, while others prefer touching near the clitoris.
• The clitoris plays a significant role in orgasm during vaginal intercourse when stimulated. Contrary to popular belief, only a small percentage of people with vaginas can orgasm through vaginal stimulation alone. However, the chance of orgasm increases significantly when clitoral stimulation is involved during vaginal intercourse.
• The clitoris shares similarities with the penis in terms of anatomy and function. Both organs develop from the same embryonic tissue, and the clitoris can also become erect during arousal due to blood engorgement in the vestibular bulbs.
• The size of the clitoris doesn't affect pleasure potential. 
• The clitoris can change size with age, often enlarging after menopause due to hormonal changes.

Caring for Your Clitoris

Proper care is essential for maintaining overall genital health. Water alone is sufficient for cleaning the sensitive tissue near the clitoris, labia minora, and vagina. Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding fragrant products, and refraining from scratching or itching the area are also important. The vagina has a delicate pH balance and is self-cleaning, so there's no need to wash inside it or to use any soaps to clean this area. 

Exploring Your Clitoris

Understanding the clitoris' anatomy and function can help you explore and experiment with different types of stimulation. If you’re exploring solo, we recommend grabbing a mirror and exploring your genital area, lifting the hood to observe the glans, and watching how it changes and swells when you’re aroused.

If you’re exploring with a partner, communication is key. Use your words or movements to guide them and discover together what feels best for you. The use of pleasure products, fingers, or other means of clitoral stimulation during vaginal intercourse can significantly increase the chance of orgasm.

Happy exploring 😉

More from

Your Vulva & Your Vagina

5 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Uterus 

Read now

Related

 

Body

10 Vaginismus Myths You Should Stop Believing Now

Read more