Penis Vs Vagina

Penis Vs Vagina
Male and Female Anatomy: Similar but Different
Posted by Darya Sinusoid | Dec 17, 2021
Male and Female Anatomy: Similar but Different
This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
What is the difference between the male and female reproductive systems? How do these differences develop?
Both men’s and women’s genitalia have the same origins, stemming from the same embryonic tissue. However, these organs ultimately develop in unique ways, take distinct shapes, and serve different functions depending on a person’s sex.
Let’s explore the differences between male and female anatomy.
In her book Come as You Are , Emily Nagoski asserts that we can better understand the identical origins but different functions of men’s and women’s homologous genitalia by examining the differences between male and female anatomy. Although she provides various comparisons, we’ll limit our discussion to just two crucial sets of organs.
According to Nagoski, the clitoris is the anatomical source of female sexual pleasure. The visible part is right below where the inner labia or “lips” of the vulva (i.e. external parts of the female genitalia) meet, although it extends far inside a woman’s body.
(Shortform note: The fact that Nagoski points out the true size and shape of the clitoris is important, as many people don’t realize just how far it extends into the body . In fact, it took until 1981 for any health body to create an anatomically correct diagram of the clitoris, and many school textbooks don’t even mention this organ, let alone explain its true size and shape. This persistent misinformation and misconception support her argument for the need for a biological understanding of female genitalia.)
The male equivalent of the clitoris is the penis, Nagoski notes. Just like the clitoris, the penis is the sexual pleasure center and is positioned front and center on the body. However, whereas only the head of the clitoris is visible outside of a woman’s body, the head and half the length of the entire penis is visible outside of a man’s body. Nagoski argues that their differences in appearance have everything to do with their differences in function. Whereas the clitoris is only responsible for sensation, the penis is responsible for sensation, penetration, ejaculation, and urination.
(Shortform note: Nagoski doesn’t elaborate on why these differences in function lead to differences in appearance. The penis must extend further than the clitoris as it must be long enough to penetrate and ejaculate into the vaginal canal, which is inside a woman’s body.)
Nagoski explains that the outer labia, or “lips,” are fleshy and hairy folds of skin around the vaginal opening. (Shortform note: The function of the outer labia is to protect the vagina—and therefore internal organs connected to the vagina like the ovaries, urethra, and clitoris—from damage.)
The male counterpart of the outer labia is the scrotum , which is the fleshy and hairy bag of skin hanging below the penis that holds the testicles. Nagoski notes that upon close inspection, you can see the seam on the scrotum where it would have split into outer labia had the embryo been female. (Shortform note: Just as the outer labia serve to protect some of the most vital sexual organs, the scrotum acts as a layer of protection for the testicles, which are the organs that produce sperm.)
(Shortform note: Why must the scrotum extend further out from the body than the outer labia? Nagoski doesn’t explore this, but it’s because the scrotum must keep the testicles cooler than the internal body temperature to produce sperm. On the other hand, the ovaries—which are the female equivalent of the testicles and produce eggs and hormones—don’t require the same environmental conditions to function. Because of this, they’re located inside the body rather than externally with the outer labia.)
Nagoski tells us that just as men and women have similar parts organized in different ways, female genitalia, too, can vary a lot from woman to woman . In particular, she notes that the size, shape, and even color of everything from the clitoris to the labia can differ greatly depending on the person. Understanding this from a biological perspective can help women realize that whatever the unique appearance of their genitalia, they’re normal and healthy.
(Shortform note: While Nagoski specifically mentions women here, men have a lot of genital variation too. For instance, the penis and scrotum can differ in size, shape, and color in much the same way as female genitalia. What’s more, men also face feelings of shame about the appearance of their genitals —for instance, the size of their penis—that stem from a toxic and pervasive standard for what it means to be masculine .)
Here's what you'll find in our full Come As You Are summary :
Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

EN

ENGLISH
DEUTSCH
ESPAÑOL

Couldn't find what you looking for?
TRY OUR SEARCH!

By Freddy_ok45162 | 44 posts, last post over a year ago

Kate Smith
answered this
Penis Size From Puberty To Old Age: Is Your Penis Normal?

It's just because done we on and cervix is lower than others. It actually hurts to hit the cervix do be gentle.

I like to masturbate a lot better than having sex nowadays it's badso I'm trusting tor

In reply to anonymous on 2013-03-07 - click to read

You look like a animal , you are f*****g doughtier and mother together like a animal. God bless you.

In reply to Fender43074 on 2007-08-26 - click to read

Well I'm in between 9.5and10",and I feel the end of my girls Virgina....(the tip of my penis often gets sore from having sex for long periods of time,at a time....)

In reply to Guest1 on 2013-12-20 - click to read

God is silly and not real, free love for all not judgement by a ghost in the sky

My penis size is 5 inches is that helps my girl friend or not

In reply to Fender43074 on 2007-08-26 - click to read

In reply to anonymous on 2016-04-23 - click to read

Your actually wrong there an average vagina is only between 4" to 6" deep and it is possible to touch the cervix if you have a long penis and he you in to hard during intercourse there is a chance of hitting an ovary what would cause her the same pain as being hit in the testicles for a guy so be careful all you guys that are long.

In reply to Fender43074 on 2007-08-26 - click to read

In reply to kivu on 2013-01-20 - click to read

My penis is 5 inches it normal for normal sex

In reply to anonymous on 2013-04-20 - click to read

I have. A large. Vagina because ten men's put their big penis inside my. Vagina on the same day

In reply to anonymous on 2013-03-07 - click to read

no not mention about fitting, that kind of relationship is unacceptable , sorry to say

In reply to anonymous on 2016-12-11 - click to read

Depth of a normal women's vagina when aroused range from 5 to 6 inches.So I guess you are ok

In reply to anonymous on 2013-03-07 - click to read

First

«

3 of 3

1

2

3

Last

If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. It is FREE!

No, thanks

Register

Penis size matters ... but only to men

Length of Penis

Womens View On Penis Size

what size of penis do girls like??

Small Dick size

The natural size penis of a 15 year old

im worried about my penis size

14 year old penis size

average penis size

How to Increase the size of my penis?

penis size

Extremely shallow vagina

Is there any real way to increase the size of a penis?

Medicine for Increasing penis length and size

when having sex, the penis is penetrated to far, its like hitting a wall, its painful, i want to cry

I am a almost 27 with the penis of an 6 year old!

Penis hitting a wall of her vagina and she's experiencing immense pain

Penis size and girls in bed.

penis size

I'm 16 and my penis hasn't grown. Is something wrong?

small penis size

Penis Size By The Age Of 19 For A Latino Male

worried abou penis size

PENIS SIZE

Am i right to be insecure about the size of my penis?

can a newly young girl take any size of penis inside her?

Organ length sufficient for making love?

You sure u want a huge penis?

Woried about my Penis size

Tranny Lawson
Tied Up Guy Porn
Guys Fuck Each Other

Penis Vs Vagina

Report Page