Most people, if you ask them, will say that the clitoris is a little nub at the top of where the inner lips of the vulva meet. But, this external part of the clitoris, the glans, is only the tip of the iceberg.
“The fact is, though, that most of the clitoris is subterranean, consisting of two corpora cavernosa (corpus cavernosum when referring to the structure as a whole), two crura (crus when referring to the structure as a whole), and the clitoral vestibules or bulbs.”-blog.museumofsex.com
melodiousmsm from the museum of sex blog has written an amazing article all about the clitoris. In it she explains:
“The corpus cavernosum also extends further, bifurcating again to form the two crura. These two legs extend up to 9cm, pointing toward the thighs when at rest, and stretching back toward the spine when erect. To picture them at rest, imagine the crura as a wishbone, coming together at the body of the clitoris where they attach to the pubic symphysis.
Near each of the crura on either side of the vaginal opening are the clitoral vestibules. These are internally under the labia majora. When they become engorged with blood they actually cuff the vaginal opening causing the vulva to expand outward. Get these puppies excited, and you’ve got a hungrier, tighter-feeling vaginal opening in which to explore!”
The Internal Clitoris by Betty Dodson
This is the best article I have seen describing the whole of the clitoris structure and more specifically, the internal parts that surround the vagina and the two legs that spread back into the body like a wishbone. The clitoris, like female orgasms, is amazingly complex and super fantastic.
“Let’s also remember, female orgasm is not solely about the clitoris and vagina either. It is far more complex and also involves the workings of multiple nerves, tissues, muscles, reflexes, and mental effort. Some women can think themselves to orgasm. Others can orgasm simply by flexing their pelvic muscles. Considering all the components involved plus the variability of human beings and their anatomies, it’s extremely important to remember no two people are the same. What works for one woman may not work for another. In other words, it’s all custom under the hood.”
Because the clitoris extends so deeply into the body, most sexologists today believe that the clitoris has a lot to do with G-spot orgasms (even though they feel different), and that when you are creating G spot stimulation, you are actually stimulating the internal clitoris, as these structures are all inner-connected inside. Amazing right!
The Clitoris: A Detailed View
The clitoris is located at the front top of the vulva, between the folds where the labia minora meet. The clitoris has only one purpose, to give women sexual pleasure. It is as important to a woman, as is a penis to a man. The clitoris is formed from the same tissues as is a penis, and for the most part, functions the same as a penis.
The visible portion of the clitoris is the clitoral glans. Typically, the clitoral glans is roughly the size and shape of a pea, although it can be significantly larger or smaller. The clitoral glans is made up entirely of soft erectile tissue called corpus spongiosum. When a woman experiences sexual arousal her glans fills with blood and becomes slightly larger and more sensitive. The glans of the clitoris has just as many nerve endings as does the glans of the penis, just in a much smaller area. This results in the clitoris being extremely sensitive. The size of a clitoris does not determine how sensitive it is, as the number of nerve endings is reportedly always the same regardless of size.
The point where the labia minora attach to the clitoris is called the frenulum clitoridis. The frenulum indicates where the urethral outlet would have been located had the clitoris developed into a penis during fetal development. This attachment results in the clitoris being indirectly stimulated by the movement of the labia minora as the penis enters and exits the vagina during intercourse. For a small percentage of women, this stimulation is sufficient to produce an orgasm, when combined with the sensations caused by the penis caressing the vaginal wall.
A prepuce, or clitoral hood, is similar to a man’s foreskin and normally covers and protects the clitoris. However, in women with particularly large clitorises or small prepuces, the clitoris may be partially or wholly exposed at all times. Often the clitoral hood is only partially hidden inside of the pudendal cleft.
Parts of the Clitoris
Short Animated Documentary about the Clitoris: “Le Clitoris” © Lori Malépart-Traversy 2016
Many people think that the clitoral glans (that part visible to the eye) is the only part of the clitoris. But, the clitoris is a complex structure with the glans being only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The whole clitoris is shaped like a wishbone with the glans being the top external part that meets between the two “legs”. From the glans the clitoris extends internally for several centimeters, into the body of the clitoris known as the crura, which are two cylindrical shaped structures comprised of erectile tissue called corpora cavernosa, which appear to be only one erectile structure. From there, the crura branches into a pair of “legs” known as the Bulbs of the Clitoris or “Bulbus Vestibuli” which run underneath the labia minora.
Masters and Johnson were the first to suggest that the clitoral structures surround and extend along the vagina, determining that all orgasms are of clitoral origin. More recently, Australian urologist Dr. Helen O’Connell, using MRI technology, noted a direct relationship between the legs or roots of the clitoris and the erectile tissue of the clitoral bulbs and corpora, and the distal urethra and vagina. She asserts that this interconnected relationship is the physiological explanation for the conjectured G-spot and experience of vaginal orgasm taking into account the stimulation of the internal parts of the clitoris during vaginal penetration. Many sexologists now agree that the clitoral structure is inter-related or connected to the G-spot, although note that the orgasms produced feel different.
During sexual arousal and orgasm, the clitoris and the whole of the genitalia engorge and change color as these erectile tissues fill with blood, and the individual experiences vaginal contractions. Masters and Johnson documented the sexual response cycle, which has four phases and is still the clinically accepted definition of the human orgasm. More recent research has determined that some can experience a sustained intense orgasm through stimulation of the clitoris and remain in the orgasmic phase for much longer than the original studies indicated, evidenced by genital engorgement, color changes, and vaginal contractions. It has been reported that 70% of women require clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm.
Clitoral Orgasms
A clitoral orgasm is brought on by the stimulation of the clitoris either directly or indirectly (around the clitoris). Some women enjoy intense, direct stimulation of the clitoris, while others find it uncomfortable or even painful. The clitoris can be stimulated in a variety of ways including by the use of a vibrating sex toy, fingers, a lover’s tongue, the pressure spray of water from a facet, as well as indirectly through vaginal penetration. Clitoral orgasms are usually the first type of orgasm that women experience as they begin to explore themselves sexually through masturbation.
Clitoral orgasms are often described as the tension/release type of orgasm in which the clitoris is stimulated, sexual and muscle tension builds up, which then peaks in orgasm and the release of that energy. Clitoral orgasms can occur in a localized area (the clitoris alone) or the wave of orgasmic sensations and pleasure can spread from the groin, into the belly and through the entire body. Clitoral orgasms can also be extended from 20 seconds to several minutes, although more than one minute is rare.
Most women (70%) do not experience orgasm through vaginal stimulation alone. Many women require clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. That rate is changing however as more women begin to discover their G-spot and how to stimulate it.
, two crura (crus when referring to the structure as a whole), and the clitoral vestibules or bulbs.”-blog.museumofsex.commelodiousmsm from the museum of sex blog has written an amazing article all about the clitoris. ){kind=link}