The Clitoris: 7 Surprising Things You Should Know About It!

The “clit” is known to everyone, but most people don’t really know what it does, how it works, or even where the clitoris is located. Want to learn more about this little organ with big powers? Here are 7 surprising facts you might not know about it!

1. The clitoris has more than 10,000 nerve fibers!

Led by activist and surgeon QueerSurgeon at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), a recent study found that the human clitoris contains over 10,000 nerve endings, 25% more than previously thought. In fact, until now, the innervation of the human clitoris had never been properly studied by the scientific community. This is surprising, but unfortunately very representative of how little the medical world knows about it.

The previous studies conducted on this point date back to 1976 and, at the time, focused on bovine anatomy and therefore on the clitoris of… cows! Suffice to say that the data obtained at the time were not very applicable to human sexuality and yet it was, in part, on them that the care and attention given to this organ were based.

2. The clitoris is part of the pudendum, a medical term that says a lot about how we view it…

Pudendum is a medical term from Latin that refers to all of the external female genitalia: the labia minora and majora, the vagina, the pubis in general, and, of course, the clitoris. The problem with this word is that its literal translation means " that of which one is ashamed ." And, as is often the case in this area, there is no equivalent pejorative term for male genitalia. But why should a part of the female anatomy or a person with a vulva be shameful?

While the use of this word reflects the way this area was viewed centuries ago, it seems quite inappropriate and, above all, insulting today. However, it is still an officially used term in many anatomy treatises. Of course, there is no question of blaming the entire medical community for the use of this word, because most doctors have never considered its meaning and implications. They simply did not learn its true meaning during their medical studies. Worse still, the term pudendal nerve is still used.

But it says a lot about how little attention the clitoris gets and how far we still have to go before it is considered an important matter or a real concern, and not just a part of our anatomy to be hidden or ignored.

3. The clitoris is hardly mentioned during medical education.

It is as surprising as it is disheartening for all those who care about it, but the clitoris is an organ about which the majority of doctors , apart from gynecologists, have received almost no teaching during their studies. Based on this observation, it is not surprising that the absence of examination of the vulva during a consultation leads to inappropriate treatment.

The mention of an itchy clitoris almost systematically results in the prescription of antifungals, as does the pain affecting it. However, a more in-depth examination can sometimes reveal anatomical anomalies that could be the cause, or solve problems concerning sexual health.

Worse, ignorance of the clitoris' structure and innervation often leads to inappropriate surgical procedures! It is common for injuries to be inflicted on this organ during childbirth, episiotomies, perineal or urinary tract surgeries, or even during a reduction in the size of the labia minora. And these can have serious repercussions on sexual life, such as pain or loss of sensation.

4. The clitoris diagram is more complex than we think, and that changes everything!

Many people think that the clitoris is limited to the fleshy "button" located at the vulva. But, in reality, it is a much larger organ, composed, of course, of this external part, but also of internal structures mainly formed of erectile tissues that surround the vagina. Yes, you understood correctly, the clitoris, too, can become erect !

It is this particular anatomical configuration that explains why penetration causes pleasure. In fact, there is not vaginal orgasm on one side and clitoral orgasm on the other. In both cases, it is the internal and/or external stimulation of the clitoris that generates ecstasy. This is why most high-performance sexual stimulators focus on this organ.

5. A clitoris that stings or hurts sometimes reveals a simple anatomical problem.

A clitoris that itches, burns, or just plain hurts is not something exceptional, unfortunately. And yet, the medical community does not always do what is necessary to relieve these unpleasant sensations that sometimes have a very simple cause. In fact, many people who suffer from these symptoms actually have clitoral adhesions. This is what happens when the upper fold of the clitoris (the hood) adheres to the glans (the famous fleshy button). This then leads to irritation and pain that generally rhymes with a decrease in sexual pleasure.

6. Early development and surprising size…

By the seventh week of embryonic life, the clitoris is developing in coordination with other organs of the reproductive system. Originating from a structure known as the genital tubercle, the clitoris is attracting increasing interest for its multiple roles. As for its size, it may vary from person to person, but in general, the body of the clitoris measures between 15 and 23 millimeters long, with a glans measuring between 3 and 4 millimeters wide and between 4 and 5 millimeters long when flaccid. When erect, the clitoris can reach an impressive length of 17 to 25 millimeters, revealing a fascinating aspect of female anatomy that is often overlooked.

7. The biggest secret of the Clitoris is finally revealed!

In a review of the scientific literature, British researcher Roy Jerome Levin challenges the common perception of the clitoris as an organ exclusively dedicated to pleasure. According to his research published in the journal Clinical Anatomy , the clitoris plays a crucial role in reproduction by activating certain areas of the brain, leading to changes in the female reproductive system including increased blood flow and vaginal lubrication, as well as a change in the position of the cervix, preventing sperm from penetrating too quickly and promoting fertilization. Levin claims that clitoral stimulation is a neglected feature of the reproductive process, challenging the preconceived idea that the clitoris has only a pleasure function. Thus, the removal of the clitoris, or excision, would not only be a sexual handicap but also a reproductive handicap, according to his findings.

Did you know? What fact surprises you the most about the clitoris? Don't hesitate to share this information and this article with those around you to see their reaction and to contribute to changing mentalities around this incredible organ!