Clitoris

The clitoris is a female genital organ. It includes erectile tissue, glands, muscles and ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. In an embryo there is a small raised point that grows into a clitoris in girls or a penis in boys. Inside the penis, there is the urethra, but there is no urethra in the clitoris. In women, the urethra is hidden behind the clitoris and in front of the vagina. Penises with male urethras are used daily for urination, and can be used for sex: semen passes out of the body through the male urethra.

1) Clitoral hood, 2) Clitoris glans, 3) Labia majora, 4) Urinary opening (urethra), 5) Labia minora, 6) Anus, 7) Vaginal opening, 8) Perineum

1) Clitoral hood, 2) Clitoral glans (the clitoral body is beneath the hood).

Although the parts are placed differently, the clitoris is a match to the male penis. The clitoris causes females sexual pleasure, arousal and orgasm. Rubbing or applying other consistent pressure to it is usually needed to help the female have an orgasm.

During sexual arousal, erectile tissue fills with blood. This causes the clitoris to grow. It grows until orgasm happens. Also during arousal, touching the clitoris and other sensitive areas of the female genitals makes a woman's vagina change shape and release a lubricant. The lubricant and change of shape makes it easier for a man's penis to enter a woman and for sex to occur. Most of the clitorial body is hidden inside the hood, but only a small part of it may be seen outside the body. Adding the outside and inside parts, the clitoris is about the same size as the penis. The clitoris and penis grow from the same tissue in the womb; they bear many similar parts.

Parts of the clitoris

Outside the body

Human genitalia - development into men's and women's

This is a comparison between an erect clitoris (left) and a flaccid penis (right). Female and male genitals are developed from the same bundle of tissue.

Internal anatomy of clitoral body.Internal anatomy of clitoral body: 1. Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa of clitoris; 2. Cavernous spaces; 3. Dorsal nerve of clitoris; 4. Dorsal artery of clitoris; 5. Superficial dorsal veins of clitoris; 6. Deep dorsal vein of clitoris; 7. Deep artery of clitoris; 8. Skin; 9. Membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue; 10. Clitoral fascia; 11. Tunica albuginea; 12 - Septum of clitoris.

The parts of the clitoris that can be seen from the outside are located from the clitoral junction (the point where the outer lips meet at the base of the pubic mound) to the fork (where the lower edges of the inner lips meet below the vaginal opening). The outside parts include:

• the glans: the head or tip. It is filled with nerve endings. The glans creates pleasurable feelings. It also increases a woman's sexual response.
• the hood: the fold of skin formed by the outer edges of the inner lips. It covers the glans. The hood is the same as the male foreskin.
• the inner lips: hairless and very sensitive to touch.

Inside the body

The parts of the clitoris inside the body

The parts of the clitoris inside the body include erectile tissue, glands, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. In both the clitoris and the penis, there are two types of erectile tissue. These are corpus cavernosum (cavern-like body) and vestibular bulbs. These tissues fill with blood during sexual arousal. This causes an erection. The clitoral shaft is connected to the glans. It is just underneath the surface of the skin. The shaft is a round spongy erectile tissue. It is very sensitive like the glans. It feels like a hard ridge. The shaft is about 0.5–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) long. It moves toward the pubic mound for a short distance, then bends sharply and divides. This forms two thin legs. These legs are also made of spongy tissue. The legs spread out like the wishbone of a chicken.