Clitoris

Clitoris is a highly sensitive erectile organ of the vulva and an important part of sexual pleasure and orgasm. The small part that can be seen outside the body is only the tip of a much larger structure extending beneath the surrounding tissues.^[1]

Where is the clitoris?

The clitoris is located at the upper end of the vulva, where the inner labia meet. Its visible tip lies above the urethral and vaginal openings and is usually partly or completely surrounded by the clitoral hood.

What part of the clitoris can be seen?

The small visible part is called the clitoral glans. Depending on the woman, it may be easy to see, partly hidden, or almost completely covered by the clitoral hood.

Most of the clitoris is hidden

Behind the visible glans is the body of the clitoris, which continues into two long branches called the crura. These structures are beneath the surface and cannot be seen simply by spreading the pussy open.^[1]

A 2024 meta-analysis of 21 anatomical studies found an average clitoral body length of about 25 mm and average crus length of about 52 mm, showing how much larger the complete structure is than its visible tip.^[2]

Clitoris size varies between women

The visible glans also differs naturally in size. The same meta-analysis found an average glans length of about 6.4 mm and width of about 5.1 mm, but measurements varied substantially between women.^[2]

This means that one woman may have a very small and hidden clitoral glans while another has a much larger and clearly visible one. Both appearances can be part of normal female anatomy.

Clitoral hood

The clitoral hood is a fold of skin covering and surrounding the clitoral glans. It protects the sensitive glans and can move as the surrounding tissues are touched or moved.

How much of the clitoris remains covered differs between women. Looking only at the outside of the pussy therefore does not necessarily show the full size of the glans.

What is the clitoris for?

The clitoris is primarily involved in sexual sensation and pleasure. Unlike the urethra and vagina, it is not an opening through which urine, menstrual blood, a penis during vaginal sex, or a baby passes.^[1]

The clitoris becomes larger during arousal

The clitoris contains erectile tissue. During sexual arousal, increased blood flow causes it to become engorged and larger, somewhat like an erection of the penis.

MRI studies have directly measured increases in clitoral blood flow and size while women watched erotic material.^[3]

Clitoral sensitivity

The clitoris is highly sensitive, but there is no single kind of touch that feels best to every woman. Preferences differ in location, pressure, movement and whether stimulation is directly on the glans or around it.^[4]

Direct and indirect clitoral touching

In a U.S. probability survey of 1,055 women, 66.6% reported enjoying touch directly on the clitoris. However, 45.3% also liked touching around the clitoris, 25.2% liked occasional brushing across it without pressure, and 5.2% preferred avoiding direct clitoral touch.^[4]

This helps explain why pressing directly on the visible clitoral glans may feel very pleasurable to one woman but too intense to another.

Common touch movements

The same survey found that common preferred patterns of genital touching included up-and-down movement (63.7%), circular movement (51.6%) and side-to-side movement (30.6%). Light and medium pressure were preferred more often than firm pressure.^[4]

These are population patterns, not a universal clitoral technique. Individual preferences for location, pressure, speed and movement vary considerably.

Clitoris and orgasm

Clitoral stimulation is important for orgasm for many women. In the same U.S. survey, 18.4% said vaginal intercourse alone was sufficient for orgasm, while 36.6% said clitoral stimulation was necessary for them to orgasm during intercourse and another 36% said it made their orgasms feel better.^[4]

For the rhythmic genital movements that can accompany orgasm, see Pussy Contractions.

Clitoris during vaginal sex

The penis enters the vagina, not the visible clitoral glans. However, parts of the internal clitoral structures lie close to the vagina and can move during penetration.

A small ultrasound pilot study of three women observed movement of the clitoral roots during vaginal stimulation.^[5]

External clitoral stimulation can also be added during vaginal sex with fingers, a vibrator or other contact with the vulva.

Clitoris and penis

The clitoris and penis develop from related embryonic structures and both contain erectile tissue. They therefore share some basic features, including a glans and tissues that become engorged with blood during sexual arousal.^[1]

Related adult search terms

Related adult search terms include:

• clit
• clit stimulation
• clit rubbing
• clitoral orgasm
• big clit
• large clitoris
• exposed clitoris

References

1. ↑ ^{1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4} Pauls R. N. Anatomy of the clitoris and the female sexual response. Clinical Anatomy, 2015. PubMed
2. ↑ ^{2,1 2,2} Longhurst G. J. et al. Beyond the tip of the iceberg: A meta-analysis of the anatomy of the clitoris. Clinical Anatomy, 2024. PubMed
3. ↑ Deliganis A. V. et al. Female genitalia: dynamic MR imaging with use of MS-325—initial experiences evaluating female sexual response. Radiology, 2002. PubMed
4. ↑ ^{4,1 4,2 4,3 4,4} Herbenick D. et al. Women's Experiences With Genital Touching, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm: Results From a U.S. Probability Sample of Women Ages 18 to 94. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2018. PubMed
5. ↑ Buisson O, Jannini EA. Pilot echographic study of the differences in clitoral involvement following clitoral or vaginal sexual stimulation. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013. PubMed