The Clitoris - Structure & Different Clitoris Shapes

Our bodies are truly fascinating - while we look out for external sources to enhance our sexual pleasure, little do we know that it’s our own body that can do so much more! Let’s cut to the chase. In case you’ve used a hand mirror or even examined your genital area (ladies, you must do this!), you might have wondered about the flap of skin above your labia. There might be several questions floating in your mind - What is it? Do all women have it? Does mine look odd or is it supposed to look like this? Before you think any further, let us help you with a few of these questions.

Different Clitoris Shapes

That flap is called the Clitoral Hood. It is basically a fold of skin that protects your Clitoris - a structure about the size of a pea, which is located at the top of a woman’s vulva, right above the urethral opening. By definition, the vulva describes all of the external female genital organs. Grouped around the vagina, these organs include the labia majora, the labia minora, the clitoris, the vestibule of the vagina, the bulb of the vestibule, and the glands of Bartholin. 

The two sets of labia form an oval shape around the vagina. Generally, the labia minora is smaller and surrounds the vagina, while the labia majora is larger and covered with pubic hair, in most cases. The point where the labia minora meet is the clitoris. It is believed that the female clitoris is the equivalent of the male penis. 

Unfortunately, there’s very little we know about the real anatomy of the clitoris. This is because this ‘love button’ is a relatively recent discovery, with the full discovery as recent as 1998. In fact, in the 1990s, a urologist from the Royal Melbourne Hospital used the MRI to study the clitoris. She published her findings in 1998, and revealed the true size of the clitoris for the first time. Later in 2009, two French researchers came out with the first 3D sonography of the clitoris, when stimulated.

What does the Clitoris do?

The clitoris has numerous nerve endings, which makes it extremely sensitive to touch. It can arouse feelings of sexual pleasure, when stimulated, and for several women, this is how they are able to experience an orgasm. 

Even for those women, who are able to experience orgasm from penetration alone, stimulating the clitoris can enhance their orgasm even further. The clitoris can be stimulated directly, internally through the vagina or even through stimulation of the vulva. It is truly the push you need while climaxing! Isn’t it amazing that the clitoris is the only organ in the body whose sole purpose is to provide pleasure?

In some women, the clitoris becomes a little enlarged, especially during sexual activity, and this already sensitive tissue becomes even more reactive. Unlike the penis, however, the clitoris does not have a direct role in reproduction. In fact, on an average, the clitoris in its entirety is about 4 inches long. Although we can only see the tip, almost three-fourths of the clit is hidden inside the vulva. The little nub that we see are the Glans, and are about 1 to 2 cm long. On the inside, the glans branch into two legs - Crus. These legs are about three inches long and extend downward around the vaginal walls. 

The glans comprise of approximately 8,000 nerve endings, the highest in the body. The penis has about 4,000 nerve endings. Since a woman’s contractions during an orgasm extend to the pelvic area, it affects an additional 15,000 nerves. Isn’t it amazing?

Another thing to note is that each woman’s clitoris is unique, and each one requires a different kind of stimulation to reach an orgasm. Like men, sometimes women get a little conscious about the size of their genital parts. Again, just like the penis, clits come in various shapes and sizes. While Glans may vary from woman to woman, the potential of pleasure remains unchanged. What remains common here is how the clitoris is unanimously considered an erogenous zone! 

So, explore your body. The sole purpose of a Clitoris is to give you pleasure. Let it serve its destiny. ;)

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