The clitoris is an unpaired organ, and it resembles a penis in shape, development, and structure but is smaller in size. It is located in the anterior part of the vulva, inferior to the mons pubis.

The clitoris consists of two corpora cavernosa made of erectile tissue with many small cavities which engorge with blood during sexual arousal, causing the clitoris to swell up.

The clitoris has several parts:

The crura (singular: crus) form the most posterior portion attached to the periosteum of the ischium and the inferior pubic ramus. There are two crura forming the clitoris, both located on the sides of the vestibular bulb.

In the anterior direction, the crura merge together and continue as the body of the clitoris at the level of the inferior edge of the pubic symphysis.

The body has a small protuberance or tubercle called the glans clitoris at the site where both vestibular bulbs merge.

Although the clitoris classifies as an external genital organ, its only visible portion is the glans, while the rest is located internally. It is also the part that contains a huge amount of nerve endings and is highly vascular. Therefore, the glans clitoris is highly sensitive and is one of the many female erogenous zones.

As mentioned before, the glans clitoris is located between the prepuce of the clitoris and frenulum of the clitoris that are structures formed by the labia minora.

The corpora cavernosa are covered by tunica albuginea, which is enclosed by the fascia of the clitoris.

Posterior to the clitoris is the external urethral orifice (outer opening of the urethra), and even more posterior - the vaginal orifice (opening of the vagina).

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Clitoris