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 | |
Precursor | Genital tubercle |
Part of | Vulva |
Artery | Dorsal artery of clitoris, deep artery of clitoris, artery of bulb, internal pudendal artery |
Vein | Superficial dorsal veins of clitoris, deep dorsal vein of clitoris, vein of bulb, internal pudendal veins |
Nerve | Dorsal nerve of clitoris, pudendal nerve |
Identifiers | |
Latin | clitoris |
Greek | κλειτορίς |
MeSH | D002987 |
TA98 | A09.2.02.001 |
TA2 | 3565 |
FMA | 9909 |
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]
Goodman_Roughgarden_Wingfield
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Rodgers_O'Connell_Greenberg_Weiten_Carroll
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Carroll_Di Marino
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).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.
Moore_Blechner_Shrage
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Moore_Wade_Labuski
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Shrage_Schwartz_Wood_Blechner
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Rodgers_O'Connell_Kilchevsky
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Balcombe
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Ogletree_Wade_Waskul
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).The Wall Street Journal
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Moye
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).