We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. That most elusive part of the female anatomy: the clitoris. What is it, where is it located, and what does it do? We answer all these questions and more in this Spotlight. The clitoris has long been misrepresented and misunderstood, and even now, it still holds some riddles that science is yet to solve. All female mammals — and some female birds and reptiles — have a clitoris or two , as is the case with snakes. In humans, the clitoris has been firmly tied to sexual pleasure, though whether it plays any other role is still a matter for debate. So, what is there to know about this elusive organ, and why are we still struggling to understand it?
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In humans, the visible portion — the glans — is at the front junction of the labia minora inner lips , above the opening of the urethra. Unlike the penis , the male homologue equivalent to the clitoris, it usually does not contain the distal portion or opening of the urethra and is therefore not used for urination. In most species, the clitoris lacks any reproductive function. While few animals urinate through the clitoris or use it reproductively, the spotted hyena , which has an especially large clitoris, urinates, mates, and gives birth via the organ. Some other mammals, such as lemurs and spider monkeys , also have a large clitoris. The clitoris is the human female's most sensitive erogenous zone and generally the primary anatomical source of human female sexual pleasure. Initially undifferentiated, the tubercle develops into either a penis or a clitoris during the development of the reproductive system depending on exposure to androgens which are primarily male hormones. The clitoris is a complex structure, and its size and sensitivity can vary. The glans head of the human clitoris is roughly the size and shape of a pea and is estimated to have about 8, sensory nerve endings.
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Clue is on a mission to help you understand your body, periods, ovulation, and so much more. Start tracking today. You can only see a small part of the clitoris - the majority of it is internal! For women and people with vaginas, orgasms most commonly come from the clitoris, located above the vaginal opening and urethra 1,2,3. Erogenous zones are areas of the body that elicit a sexual response when stimulated. The clitoris is one of the most sensitive erogenous zones due to its high concentration of nerve endings 4,5.
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