What is the clitoris?
Q: What is the clitoris?
A: The clitoris is a female genital organ that includes erectile tissue, glands, muscles and ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.
Q: How does the clitoris differ from the penis?
A: The penis contains a urethra for urination and passing semen out of the body, while there is no urethra in the clitoris. In women, the urethra is hidden behind the clitoris and in front of the vagina.
Q: What role does the clitoris play in sexual pleasure for females?
A: The clitoris causes females sexual pleasure, arousal and orgasm. Rubbing or applying other consistent pressure to it is usually needed to help the female have an orgasm. During sexual arousal, erectile tissue fills with blood which causes it to grow until orgasm happens. Touching sensitive areas of female genitals also makes a woman's vagina change shape and release lubricant which makes sex easier for a man to enter her body.
Q: How large is the clitoris compared to a penis?
A: Most of the clitoris is hidden inside the body but when adding both outside and inside parts together they are about equal size as a penis.
Q: What do male and female genital organs have in common?
A: Male and female genital organs grow from same tissue in womb; they bear many similar parts.
Q: Where can you find erectile tissue on a woman's body?
A: Erectile tissue can be found on a woman's body within her clitoral organ.
