Hidden Clitoris

Hidden Clitoris

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Author:
Rafael Vieira MD
•

Reviewer:
Jana Vasković MD

Last reviewed: July 06, 2022

Reading time: 8 minutes

The clitoris is an erectile tissue of the females, located at the junction of the inner lips of vulva and immediately above the external opening of the urethra . The clitoris is responsible for feeling sexual sensations upon stimulation, and in many women, its proper stimulation facilitates orgasm.
This article will discuss the anatomy of the clitoris, a female sex organ and most sensitive erogenous zone. Cultural perceptions of the clitoris have had significant impact on the research and knowledge about the clitoris in comparison with the penis, its male counterpart. Through this article, we will guide you through the ins and outs of the clitoris, namely its internal and external anatomy, blood supply, innervation, and function during sexual arousal.
The clitoris is an erectile structure, homologous to the male penis . It is located inferior to the mons pubis at the anterior end of the vulva where the two labia minora meet. Similar to the penis, it is composed of paired crura, a body and a glans.
Unlike its male counterpart however, the clitoris is not circumscribed by a foreskin nor is it perforated by the urethra (and, therefore, has no urinary role). Instead, urethra opens separately, just posteriorly to the clitoris. In addition, most (i.e. four-fifths) of the clitoris is internal; only its glans (measuring an average length of 5 to 8 mm) is externally positioned. This is why the clitoris is informally described as having two parts: the internal and external.
The clitoris arises as a pair of crura , two erectile structures which attach to the ischiopubic rami. Anteriorly, each crus converges to form the paired corpora cavernosa of the clitoris, which are collectively known as its body and are enclosed in a layer of dense fibrous connective tissue (known as the tunica albuginea). In females, the corpus spongiosum is represented as two bodies of erectile tissue in each of the labia minora, referred to as the bulbs of the vestibule or clitoral bulbs.
The clitoris is supported by the suspensory ligament of the clitoris, a fibrous band that connects the clitoris to the pubic symphysis .
At its distal extremity, the body, which is formed by the junction of both corpora cavernosa, is surmounted by the glans (head) of the clitoris, which is a small tubercle of erectile tissue that arises from the junction of the vestibular bulbs (mentioned below).
Externally, the glans is enclosed between the prepuce of the clitoris anteriorly and frenulum of the clitoris posteriorly, which are folds formed by the division of the anterior extremities of the labia minora.
The neurovascular bundle of the clitoris is located posterior to the corpora cavernosa, between the tunica albuginea and the clitoral fascia . Two dorsal arteries (branch of the internal pudendal artery ) supply blood to the fascia and skin over the clitoris. They each give off a branch known as the deep artery of clitoris , which supplies blood to the ipsilateral corpus cavernosum, engorging it during sexual arousal.
Paired dorsal veins of the clitoris are located centrally, medial to their arterial counterpart, and deep to an unpaired superficial vein of the clitoris . Finally, the most lateral structures of the neurovascular bundle are the dorsal nerves of the clitoris.
The dorsal nerve of clitoris is a terminal branch of the pudendal nerve , which travels along the dorsal surface of the clitoral body to the glans. Here, it terminates as a network of highly sensitive free nerve endings and other mechanoreceptors making it one of the densely innervated regions of the body. Like the arteries and the veins, it lies superficially located between the tunica albuginea and the clitoral fascia, and therefore some procedures (e.g. vulvoplasty) may risk injury to this nerve and affect clitoral sensation and sexual function.
During sexual arousal , the clitoris, along with the entire female genitalia, fills with blood. This is due to the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles contracting and compressing the clitoral veins while the arterial blood flow remains; this increased blood then fills the venous spaces in the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris, leading to its ingurgitation. As the clitoris is richly innervated by sensory fibers, stimulation of the clitoris (either direct physical stimulation or mental simulation) may lead to female orgasm .
The G-spot is an erogenous area of the vagina which may lead to strong sexual arousal and orgasms when physically stimulated. It is said to be located 5–8 cm (2–3 in) up in the anterior vaginal wall. However, its existence is subject of discussion and has not been proved.
Some researchers have found a greater concentration of nerve endings at the lower third of the vagina. However, evidence on this has been based on small sample sizes and therefore is often dismissed as anedoctal.
A stronger theory supports that the G-spot may be an extension of the clitoris, as the clitoral tissue extends into the anterior wall of the vagina. This is supported by the fact that vaginal orgasms (obtained through stimulation of the G-spot) and clitoral orgasms have the same stages of physical response.
Regardless of whether the G-spot is an individual structure or a simple extension of the clitoris, overly focusing on the G-spot as a source for sexual arousal and orgasm may be detrimental, and it is generally best to consider the clitoris, urethra, and vagina as one unit because they are intimately related.

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An organ of the external genitalia of females whose function is to enable sexual pleasure.
Two crura of clitoris, each forming a corpus cavernosum, which converge to form the glans of the clitoris
Dorsal artery of clitoris, deep artery of clitoris Deep dorsal vein of clitoris, superficial dorsal vein of clitoris

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Want to know where the clitoris is? You’re in the right place, we’ve made a vulva field guide for you. This is everything you need to know about the clitoris - the most vital part of female pleasure. This article is part of our Female Pleasure series.
Vulva : The term vulva describes the outer area of the vagina (often confused with the term vagina). The vulva includes the labia (also known as vaginal lips), urethra opening, clitoral hood, and clitoris. The vulva encompasses everything you see when you look at a woman’s external genital area. ‍
‍ Clitoris : The clitoris is the ever famous pleasure powerhouse of the vulva. It is a small but very sensitive sexual organ. Filled with nerve endings, the clitoris is the source of most female orgasms.
‍ Vagina : The internal part of the female reproductive system. From the external vulva, there is a vaginal opening leading to a canal-like structure. Labia : Also known as the vaginal lips, the labia are the two folds of skin that encompass the vulva. The labia majora are the outer lips, and the labia minora are the inner lips.
The clitoris is a small but very sensitive sexual gland found toward the top of the female vulva. It’s the pleasure powerhouse of the vulva. Interestingly, the clitoris doesn’t play any reproductive role. It’s only function is pleasure .
The clitoris is the only organ in the body that is solely devoted to making us feel good. The clitoris is a feel-good area that responds to direct or indirect stimulation. These heightened sensitivity, feel-good areas are called erogenous zones . These areas can stimulate a physiological sexual response known as arousal.
The clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings! That’s double the nerve endings in a penis. This specific part of the vulva is very sensitive. This is why most women find clitoral orgasms (as opposed to penetrative orgasms) to be the most consistent and common to achieve .
I’m glad you asked, because the truth is, lots of people have a hard time finding the clitoris. The clitoris is a surprisingly complex organ and we weren’t taught this in health class, my friends.
The clitoris is small and the gland itself sits beneath a small fold of skin called the clitoral hood. This hood is the intersection between both sides of the labia, and it surrounds the clitoris like a hood (it’s similar to the idea of a penis foreskin). To offer some clitoral direction, the clitoris is due North while the vaginal opening is due South. Read it here from the team at School of Squirt.
Curveball: most of the clitoris is not visible. The head of the clitoris is a little smaller than a pea. So when someone goes looking for a clitoris they might be looking for a round protrusion of some sort.
But depending on the arousal of the woman, there might be little to suggest you’ve found it. This is where the complexity comes in.
When trying to find the clitoris, the clitoral glans is actually what you are looking for. But this small part of the clitoris is often retracted into the clitoral body unless aroused and ‘erect’. Yes, erect. Ladies have boners too.
The clitoris crura, AKA the legs of the clitoris, span the length of the vulva. The clitoris crura is an internal wishbone-like structure that is made of erectile tissue. This swells with blood when a woman is aroused and can cause a woman to produce vaginal lubrication.
This blood flow causes the clitoral glans (the smallest and most sensitive part) to become slightly protruded from the clitoral hood. While the clitoris is technically part of the external vulva, the clitoris glans (what you are looking for when you’re stimulating a woman), is actually internal . She just needs to work up to her arousal state for this pea-sized powerhouse to be more accessible and more sensitive.Is your mind blown yet?
While the pea-sized comparison is common, some women have clitoral glans that are bigger and smaller than that. Some have a clitoris closer to the size of a pinto bean, and others the size of a lentil. It’s really not important to know the size of a clitoris because it’s mostly internal and will behave the same way no matter the size.
It’s important to note the size of a clitoris does not determine the amount of pleasure one can enjoy. Women with bigger clitoral glans aren’t being rocket launched into orbit when stimulated because they were blessed with 16,000 clitoral nerve endings instead of an average 8,000. They have the same average amount of clitoral nerve endings, no matter the size.
Only 18% of women can reach climax with penetration alone. The other 82% require clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. This is not surprising given the clitoris is the pleasure point for a woman. But often, it’s bypassed in lieu of penetrative sex or it’s misunderstood and famously eluding (hopefully this article helped with that part ).
About 10% to 15% of women have never had an orgasm, with or without a partner. Clitoral stimulation to the rescue? Yeah, maybe! Despite the sensitivity of the clitoris, it still might be hard to reach an orgasm. For some women, female enhancement creams may help them reach climax.
These types of products work to increase the blood flow to the clitoral localized area.To use female enhancement creams (also lovingly referred to as scream creams) apply the cream to the clitoris or vulva 30 minutes before sex. The user is likely to become more aroused, even more sensitive, naturally lubricated, and ready to reach climax with or without a partner.
‍ Also read: 5 ways scream cream can revolutionize your sex life If you are partnered and want to try female enhancement, try and make it a fun experience for both you and your partner. (Maybe find your partner a product to try to enhance their experience too.) The cream might open a door to a new type of sexual experience for you and your partner to share.
If you’d like to see if our specially formulated Strut O Cream can help enhance your sexual pleasure, schedule a Free Online Consultation with our doctors today.
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8 Fascinating Things You Didn't Know About the Clitoris
Fact: Its only function is pleasure.
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The clitoris is one of the more amazing, and too often under-appreciated, parts of the human body. After spending far too many years being the punch-line in a series of bad jokes about bad sex, the clitoris finally getting its proper due, and it’s totally worth all the conversation. As one of the most sensitive areas on a person’s body, it’s got way more going on than meets the eye, but that’s no reason to not give it the attention it deserves.
Still, knowledge about the clitoris can be a little hit or miss. A serious lack of sexual education in schools has left far too many people to their own devices when it comes to real information about basic sexual functions, and the clitoris is just that: basic. That is, not a cherry on top that might or might not be involved in your life. If you have a clitoris, it’s going to be impossible to ignore, and not understanding it can lead to some serious lost time. Start your reintroduction to this seriously amazing body part with these eight amazing facts.
What most people refer to as the clitoris is generally only the small hooded part of it that protrudes above the opening of the clitoral glans , which are attached to the Labia minora. The rest of the clitoris — usually about three-fourths of the whole thing — are inside your body.
The clitoris has about 8,000 sensitive nerve endings , double the amount of a penis. But it doesn’t stop there: Sensations started in the clitoris can spread across the pelvic area, affecting about 15,000 other nerve endings. It’s OK if you need a moment to take that all in.
The tired joke about how hard it is to find the clitoris always seems to live in a world where simply locating it releases instant orgasm. In reality, it’s much bigger than most people think — about a quarter of it is visible , the rest is concealed. As artist Sophia Wallace put it in her 2015 piece CLITERACY , “it’s not a button, it’s an iceberg.”
It’s not really shaped like one, but the clitoris actually has a pretty similar anatomy to a penis, with glans, a foreskin, also known as the clitoral hood, and a shaft. It also swells when aroused.
When puberty begins, the clitoris starts to increase in size, usually getting 1.8 times larger by the time puberty ends. But it can grow even more after menopause, as much as seven times the size it was at birth. These changes are relatively unnoticeable, since it’s so small to begin with.
Most women need something more than vaginal intercourse to reach an orgasm, and the clitoris plays a large role in that.
The clitoris has absolutely zero reproductive functions, and is seriously only exists to make you feel good . In fact, it’s such a one-note organ that it should usually be left alone after an orgasm – with nothing left to do, stimulation on a now exhausted clitoris can lead to pain(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-madsen/12-crazy-amazing-facts-about-the-clitoris_b_7501188.html).
Like basically every single thing about bodies, every clitoris is different. They can be large, small, more hidden, less hidden — there are all sorts of shapes and sizes . Beyond physical appearance, the needs of one clitoris isn’t guaranteed to be the needs of another. Some are extra sensitive and may require very little stimulation, but it’s just as likely that the one you know might need extra time and specific orientation or action. Don’t be afraid to explore what works and find out what doesn’t; it’s always worth it to get to know your body, and the clitoris is absolutely no exception.
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