Clitoris: Where it’s located, diagram & anatomy explained

What is a clitoris?

The clitoris is a female sex organ, mostly made of nerves and erectile tissue [1]. Unlike other parts of the female reproductive system, such as the uterus or the vagina, it doesn’t serve any direct reproductive purpose. Instead, its main role seems to be making sex enjoyable [2].

Where is the clitoris?

The clitoris forms part of your vulva, outside of your vaginal canal. But only a tiny part of it is visible — about the size of a pea! The rest sits internally, under your skin, and attaches to your pelvic bone, labia, urethra, and vagina via supporting tissues [1]. Since we can’t see most of the clitoris, it is easy to think this is a small organ. But its overall size ranges from 9 to 11cm, and its shape is like an upside-down heart or wishbone [3].

What are the external parts of the clitoris?

The visible parts of the clitoris include the glans clitoris (also referred to as the head) and the clitoral hood. The glans does not contain any erectile tissue, meaning it does not swell or change shape during sexual arousal [1]. However, it is the most sensitive part of the clitoris, consisting of lots of nerve endings. One small study of clitoris nerves in five participants found that there are, on average, over 10,000 nerve endings in the glans clitoris [4]! 

Whilst all of those nerve endings are great for arousal and sexual pleasure, there is also the potential to be overstimulated. The clitoral hood consists of two skin folds that are thought to protect the glans from unwanted friction, for example, from our clothes, or overstimulation from different types of sex [5]. 

What are the internal parts of the clitoris?

The internal parts of the clitoris are significantly larger and not visible on the vulva itself. Just below the surface of the labia sits the clitoral body, directly attached to the glans clitoris. The clitoral body also joins the crura. These are two branches that look a little bit like legs, spanning either side of the vulva. The crura are also attached to the vestibular bulbs, which form the heart-shaped structure [1]. Both the bulbs and crura of the clitoris contain erectile tissue that fills with blood and swells up during sexual arousal [2]. 

How to find the clitoris

If you aren’t sure where the clitoris is, you are not alone. Up to 37% of participants in one study could not correctly identify where the clitoris is, often confusing it with the urethra [6]. 

Your glans clitoris (the visible part) sits at the top of your vulva, where your left and right labia meet, and above the vaginal opening and the urethra. It may help to use a handheld mirror and gently move your labia to the side to get a better view. 

How to stimulate the clitoris

Everyone experiences sexual arousal differently and has their preferred erogenous zones. The easiest way to learn what you prefer is to explore your own body, vagina, and clitoris. Here are a few tips to get started.

• Find a comfortable setting: Sexual pleasure is much more enjoyable when you are somewhere comfortable. Try to pick a quiet, private setting where you know you won’t be interrupted. 

• Get to know your vulva: Familiarize yourself with your own anatomy before you dive right in. Doing a vaginal self-exam will help you understand the clitoris and surrounding areas, and give you a greater sense of what feels good. 

• Start gently: Start by touching the area around the clitoris. For some people, the clitoris is so sensitive that this level of stimulation will be enough to reach arousal. If this feels good and you want to explore further, you can gently stroke or touch the head of the clitoris, keeping the clitoral hood over it. Then you can progress to moving the hood back if that feels enjoyable. 

• Use lubrication: You may find using a lubricant makes clitoral stimulation more enjoyable, as it can reduce friction and prevent dryness in the area.

• Try different things: Everyone’s preferences are different, and once you feel comfortable with stimulating the clitoris, you can experiment with types of touch, sex toys, or involving a partner. You can also see how it feels to put fingers, sex toys, or a penis inside the vagina and stimulate the clitoris from within.

Orgasm can be an enjoyable side effect of clitoral stimulation, but it doesn’t need to be the goal. The aim is to explore your body and enjoy yourself. If at any point you aren’t enjoying it, you can stop or try something different. 

Facts about the clitoris

We already learned the clitoris is bigger than many would first guess. So what else can we learn about this mysterious organ? Let’s unpack some fascinating facts about the clitoris. 

The clitoris gets bigger when aroused

Just like the penis, when aroused, blood rushes to the clitoris, causing it to swell and become erect. This increased blood flow also causes the rest of the vulva to deepen in color [2]. The clitoris isn’t the only part of the vulva that changes when aroused, either — the vagina also widens and deepens [7]. 

We are not the only species with a clitoris

We might speak about the clitoris being the center of female human pleasure, but what about other animals? A recent study found there are some striking similarities between the human and dolphin clitoris…and just like it is for us, its main purpose seems to be for pleasure [8]!

The clitoris is behind most female orgasms

When you think of how we learn about sex and how it’s portrayed in films and on TV, there isn’t much reference to clitoral stimulation, if at all. Yet a recent study found that a mere 18% of women can reach orgasm through only having penetrative vaginal sex [9]. It is perfectly normal to only reach orgasm through clitoral stimulation. There’s even research suggesting that the G-spot, and any orgasms reached through penetrative sex, are still related to the clitoris [10]. It really is the pleasure center!

The clitoris can help with pain relief

If you’ve ever felt frisky on your period while experiencing painful cramps, the clitoris may hold the key to your relief. Low progesterone paired with rising estrogen at the start of a new cycle can increase libido [11]. So it’s perfectly normal to experience a high sex drive while you’re bleeding. The great news is that having an orgasm can release endorphins and reduce pain sensitivity [12]. And while we’re on the subject, period sex or masturbating on your period are both totally safe and healthy things to do — if you want to!

The structures and functions of the clitoris weren’t clear until the 1990s

Perhaps the most mind-boggling fact of all is just how recently the clitoris has gained official recognition. Sexual pleasure has existed as long as people have been having sex. Still, centuries of stigma and a lack of research into female health meant that we’ve started to understand the clitoris from a medical perspective only in recent history. We have an Australian urologist, Helen O’Connell, to thank for her work in the MRI scanning (and later 3D modeling) of the clitoris [13]. This research has helped us learn more about the anatomy of this amazing organ, and we can now fully begin to understand and recognize just how incredible it is.

The penis and clitoris start out the same

Did you know that in early fetal development, the penis and the clitoris actually start out the same? They both begin as an ambisexual genital tubercle, before forming into the different sexual organs around the eleventh week of pregnancy [14, 15]. While they are very different organs in many ways, there are similarities. The clitoral hood acts in a similar function to the foreskin of a penis, and both organs contain erectile tissue that swells with arousal [14]. 

How to care for your clitoris

For most people, there is not much intervention needed to take care of the clitoris other than regular cleaning of the vulva. Wash your vulva with warm water during your daily shower, gently moving the labia folds to clean the entire area. It is generally recommended to avoid using soap when cleaning the vagina and vulva area. However, if you would prefer, you may try a gentle, pH-balanced, unscented option, being sure to avoid the internal vagina [16]. 

Conditions affecting the clitoris

Several conditions can affect the health of your clitoris, and part of caring for it is keeping an eye out for anything irregular. If you are experiencing discomfort around your clitoris and vulva, it could be vaginitis. This is a broad term describing soreness and swelling in or around the vagina. There are many potential causes, ranging from irritation due to soaps or dryness during sex, to skin conditions (such as Lichen sclerosus), to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or thrush [17]. If you have an infection, you may or may not have additional symptoms such as itching, pain, or discolored discharge. 

Some individuals may be born with, or develop, an enlarged clitoris, usually caused by excess androgens (male sex hormones). An enlarged clitoris is often linked to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a gynecological condition affecting the ovaries, or neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition causing tumors to grow on the nerves and skin [18, 19]. 

Some conditions may cause dysfunction of the clitoris. Pelvic floor disorders affect the function of the muscles or tissues in the pelvic area. Sometimes they can weaken naturally, such as during childbirth or aging, or are injured, for example, after surgery [20]. Hormone imbalances and neuromuscular disorders can also affect the function of the clitoris [2]. 

If you are concerned about vaginitis or think you might have an infection or condition affecting your clitoris, speak to your healthcare provider or sexual health clinic. 

Get to know your body better with Natural Cycles

We hope you enjoyed reading up on the fascinating clitoris! At Natural Cycles, we’re passionate about empowering you with knowledge about your body while supporting you on your own fertility journey. 

Natural Cycles is the first birth control app to be FDA-cleared as a certified medical device. Using biomarkers and our first-of-its-kind algorithm, the NC° app is a non-hormonal option that can be used throughout your fertility journey, including to prevent or plan pregnancy. It also helps you to get to know your body throughout your menstrual cycle, letting you track symptoms such as PMS, discharge, and spotting, so you know what is normal for you. Find out how Natural Cycles can support you today!