Clitoris

"Clit" redirects here. For other uses, see Clit (disambiguation).

Clitoris
Human clitoris. Pubic hair has been deliberately removed to show anatomical detail. Location of (1) clitoral hood and (2) clitoral glans (the clitoral body is beneath the hood).
Details
PrecursorGenital tubercle
Part ofVulva
ArteryDorsal artery of clitoris, deep artery of clitoris, artery of bulb, internal pudendal artery
VeinSuperficial dorsal veins of clitoris, deep dorsal vein of clitoris, vein of bulb, internal pudendal veins
NerveDorsal nerve of clitoris, pudendal nerve
Identifiers
Latinclitoris
Greekκλειτορίς
MeSHD002987
TA98A09.2.02.001
TA23565
FMA9909
Anatomical terminology

In amniotes, the clitoris (/ˈklɪtərɪs/ ⓘ KLIT-ər-iss or /klɪˈtɔːrɪs/ ⓘ klih-TOR-iss; pl.: clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ.[1] In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female sexual pleasure.[2] 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 at least 8,000 nerve endings.[3][4]

Sexological, medical, and psychological debate has focused on the clitoris,[5] and it has been subject to social constructionist analyses and studies.[6] Such discussions range from anatomical accuracy, gender inequality, female genital mutilation, and orgasmic factors and their physiological explanation for the G-spot.[7] The only known purpose of the human clitoris is to provide sexual pleasure.[8]

Knowledge of the clitoris is significantly affected by its cultural perceptions. Studies suggest that knowledge of its existence and anatomy is scant in comparison with that of other sexual organs (especially male sex organs)[9] and that more education about it could help alleviate stigmas, such as the idea that the clitoris and vulva in general are visually unappealing or that female masturbation is taboo and disgraceful.[10][11][12]

The clitoris is homologous to the penis in males.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Goodman_Roughgarden_Wingfield was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rodgers_O'Connell_Greenberg_Weiten_Carroll was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carroll_Di Marino was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^
    • White, Franny (27 October 2022). "Pleasure-producing human clitoris has more than 10,000 nerve fibers". News. Oregon Health & Science University. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022. Blair Peters, M.D., an assistant professor of surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine and a plastic surgeon who specializes in gender-affirming care as part of the OHSU Transgender Health Program, led the research and presented the findings. Peters obtained clitoral nerve tissue from seven adult transmasculine volunteers who underwent gender-affirming genital surgery. Tissues were dyed and magnified 1,000 times under a microscope so individual nerve fibers could be counted with the help of image analysis software.
    • Peters, B; Uloko, M; Isabey, P; How many Nerve Fibers Innervate the Human Clitoris? A Histomorphometric Evaluation of the Dorsal Nerve of the Clitoris Archived 2 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine 2 p.m. ET 27 October 2022, 23rd annual joint scientific meeting of Sexual Medicine Society of North America and International Society for Sexual Medicine
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moore_Blechner_Shrage was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moore_Wade_Labuski was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Shrage_Schwartz_Wood_Blechner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rodgers_O'Connell_Kilchevsky was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Balcombe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ogletree_Wade_Waskul was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Wall Street Journal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moye was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Tortora, Gerard J; Anagnostakos, Nicholas P (1987). Principles of anatomy and physiology (5th ed.). New York: Harper & Row. pp. 727–728. ISBN 978-0060466695.