clitoris

Also known as clit

In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female sexual pleasure. The clitoris is a complex structure, and its size and sensitivity can vary. The visible portion, the glans, of the clitoris is typically roughly the size and shape of a pea and is estimated to have more than 10,000 nerve endings. Sometimes in common speech, clitoris or clit is used to solely reference the glans.

AI overview

The clitoris is a female sex organ that is the vulva's most sensitive area and the primary source of female sexual pleasure. It is a complex structure with a visible tip (the glans) about the size of a pea, containing over 10,000 nerve endings, though its overall size and sensitivity can vary.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Anatomy.Name: Body of the clitoris
Anatomy.Latin: corpus clitoridis
Anatomy.Greek: κλειτορίς
Anatomy.Image: Clitoral diagram.jpg
Anatomy.Caption: Diagram of clitoris. Body (labeled as "shaft") at the top.
Anatomy.Precursor: Genital tubercle
Anatomy.Part_of: Vulva
Anatomy.Artery: Dorsal arteries of clitoris
Anatomy.Vein: Dorsal veins of clitoris
Anatomy.Nerve: Dorsal nerve of clitoris
Anatomy.Alt: Human clitoris. Pubic hair has been deliberately removed to show anatomical detail.

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

2,885 papers

Anatomy of the clitoris.ReviewThe Journal of urology · 2005O'Connell HE, Sanjeevan KV, Hutson JMDOI: 10.1097/01.ju.0000173639.38898.cd
Anatomy of the clitoris and the female sexual response.ReviewClinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) · 2015Pauls RNDOI: 10.1002/ca.22524
Anatomy and physiology of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and labia minora with a review of the female orgasm and the prevention of female sexual dysfunction.ReviewClinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) · 2013Puppo VDOI: 10.1002/ca.22177
Colombo and the clitoris.ReviewEuropean journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · 2010Stringer MD, Becker IDOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2010.04.007
The Clitoris-An Appraisal of its Reproductive Function During the Fertile Years: Why Was It, and Still Is, Overlooked in Accounts of Female Sexual Arousal.ReviewClinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) · 2020Levin RJDOI: 10.1002/ca.23498
Lesions of the clitoris: a review.ReviewJournal of lower genital tract disease · 2015Heller DSDOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000028
Clitoris color Doppler ultrasound: a 2023 update.The journal of sexual medicine · 2023Maseroli E, Vignozzi L, Reisman YDOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad140
Glans clitoris innervation: PIEZO2 and sexual mechanosensitivity.Journal of anatomy · 2021García-Mesa Y, Cárcaba L, Coronado C et al.DOI: 10.1111/joa.13317

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Image: Clitoris 3 D - Helen O'Connell.jpg

Show 3 more facts

Commons category: Clitoris
Commons gallery: Clitoris
NCI Thesaurus ID: C12308

Sources (7)

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~67 min read

Article

31 sections

Contents

Etymology and terminology
Structure
Glans
Frenulum
Body
Root
Hood
Size and length
Development
Function
Sexual stimulation and arousal
Clitoral and vaginal orgasmic factors
Vestigiality, adaptionist and reproductive views
Clinical significance
Modification
Sexual disorders
Smegma
Society and culture
Ancient Greek–16th century knowledge and vernacular
17th century–present day knowledge and vernacular
Contemporary art
Influence on female genital mutilation
Other animals
Non-human primates
Spotted hyenas
See also
Notes
References
Journals
Bibliography
External links

Sexological, medical, and psychological debate has focused on the clitoris, and it has been subject to social constructionist analyses and studies. Such discussions range from anatomical accuracy, gender inequality, female genital mutilation, and orgasmic factors and their physiological explanation for the G-spot. The only known purpose of the human clitoris is to provide sexual pleasure.