You probably know exactly where your clitoris is and how you like it touched. But there’s so much more to learn about this erogenous zone.
So, if you’re wondering “what is the clit?” or “where is the clit located?” here’s the short version: It’s the primary organ of sexual pleasure for people with vulvas, and only the tip, the glans, is visible outside the body.
A few little-known facts about the clitoris:
- The majority of the clitoris is located inside of the body.
- The internal structure of the clitoris is shaped like a wishbone.
- There are 10,000 nerve fibers in the clitoris (the penis has 1/2 as many).
- Clitoral sensations create a ripple effect that can spread throughout the pelvis.
- It also has erectile tissue that (like a penis) becomes engorged with arousal.
- It’s the only organ in the body that has no function other than pleasure.
Most of your clitoris actually sits deep in your pelvic floor. That’s why your pelvic floor can affect your ability to have a satisfying orgasm. Let’s take a tour.
1. Glans
Like the tip of an iceberg, the only visible portion of the clitoris is the glans, a bean-shaped structure about the size of a pea. It sits near the top of your vulva, just below the pubic bone and above your urethral opening.
The glans has more nerve endings than anywhere else in the clitoris and is therefore the most sensitive area of the clitoris. In fact, it’s so sensitive that it needs a hood to shield it.
2. Prepuce / Clitoral Hood
Otherwise known as the clitoral hood, the prepuce is the skin, essentially two small flaps of skin, that covers the glans of the clitoris. It connects on the right and left sides of the glans at the labia minora (the thin, inner labia), and acts like a shield of sorts to protect the ultrasensitive glans.
3. Clitoral Body
Made mostly of spongy erectile tissue, the clitoral body extends from the glans of the clitoris and attaches to the pubic bone underneath your superficial pelvic floor muscles.
This spongy tissue (aka the corpora cavernosa) — the same kind of tissue that’s in the shaft of a penis — is designed to fill with blood, priming nerves for all of the sensations that are in store.
The clitoral body is anchored to the pubic bone via a ligament which extends on to the labia majora, snuggly anchoring the clitoris perfectly into place for all the tactile pleasure that it can handle, but also allowing it to move and become engorged during arousal.
4. Crura / Legs of the Clitoris
The clitoral body splits to form the right and left crura of the clitoris. The crura are also mostly made of erectile tissue for optimal engorgement as well, but are slightly less sensitive than the clitoral glans, with fewer nerve endings.
The crura are still very sensitive — which is good because they sit underneath the labia and superficial pelvic floor muscles, running around the sides of the vagina and urethra. This makes them perfectly positioned to be stimulated during penetration.
5. Root
The root of the clitoris connects the body to the crura. The root sits pretty superficially near the urethral opening and, due to its high sensitivity, responds really well to tactile stimulation.
6. Bulbs
Also known as vestibular bulbs, there’s some debate as to whether or not these paired bulbs are actually part of the clitoris. But either way, the bulbs are snuggled between the crura, clitoral body, and the urethra.
The bulbs are composed of erectile tissue, so can become engorged and possibly even help activate the rest of the clitoris.
Why this matters for your pelvic health
The clitoris isn’t separate from your pelvic floor. Most of it sits within that muscle group, which is why pelvic floor tension or dysfunction can affect arousal, sensation, and your ability to reach orgasm, and why pelvic floor health is so tied to female sexual pleasure. If you’re noticing pain, numbness, or changes in sensation, a pelvic floor physical therapist can help assess what’s going on.
