The clitoris is often misunderstood, frequently considered only as its small, visible external portion. However, it is a complex structure with significant internal components that play a substantial role in sexual pleasure and arousal. Its hidden anatomy extends far beyond what meets the eye, contributing to the overall sexual experience.
Anatomy of the Internal Clitoris
The internal clitoris includes several parts not visible externally, forming a structure often compared to an upside-down wishbone or Y-shape. Behind the visible glans lies the clitoral body, also known as the shaft, which is composed of two sponge-like regions of erectile tissue called the corpora cavernosa. This body extends upwards into the pelvis, connecting to the pubic bone via ligaments.
Branching from the clitoral body are two “legs” called the crura, which are the longest part of the clitoris. These crura extend downwards and backwards, forming a “V” shape around the vaginal canal and urethra. Each crus attaches to the pubic bone.
Adjacent to the crura, on either side of the vaginal opening, are the vestibular bulbs. These paired structures are located internally beneath the labia majora and between the crura and the vaginal wall. The bulbs and crura consist of erectile tissue, similar to the tissue found in the penis, and they swell with blood during sexual arousal. The entire clitoris, including its internal components, can range from approximately 3.5 to 4.25 inches in length and about 2.5 inches in width.
How Internal Clitoral Structures Contribute to Pleasure
The internal clitoral structures generate sexual pleasure due to their composition and physiological responses. The clitoris as a whole contains a dense network of nerves, making it the most sensitive erogenous zone in the body. While the glans (the external tip) is packed with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 or more sensory nerve endings, the internal components also contribute significantly to sensation.
During sexual arousal, the autonomic nervous system controls the process of clitoral engorgement. Signals from the brain, triggered by psychological or physical arousal, lead to the release of nitric oxide (NO) from nerve endings. This chemical causes the relaxation of smooth muscle receptors in the erectile tissues of the clitoral complex, including the crura and vestibular bulbs.
The relaxation of these muscles allows for a significant increase in blood flow, filling the erectile tissues and causing them to swell and expand. For example, the vestibular bulbs can double in size when engorged with blood, cuffing the vaginal opening and causing the vulva to expand outward. This engorgement enhances sensitivity and prepares the clitoral complex for intense sensation. The increased blood flow also stimulates glandular responses, which secrete fluids that contribute to lubrication.
The Internal-External Connection
The visible clitoral glans is merely the external tip of a much larger, predominantly internal organ. The clitoral body, crura, and vestibular bulbs are all interconnected, forming a unified clitoral complex. This integrated structure means that stimulation of the external glans often leads to the indirect stimulation of these internal components.
The clitoral body directly connects to the glans, and the crura branch out from the body, extending around the vaginal canal. The vestibular bulbs are positioned alongside the vaginal wall and the crura. This anatomical arrangement means that external stimulation of the glans can transmit sensations and arousal responses through the shaft to the internal crura and bulbs. Conversely, internal pressure, such as from vaginal penetration, can stimulate the vestibular bulbs and crura, which in turn can contribute to overall clitoral sensation and orgasm. The internal clitoris straddles the lower vaginal area, meaning much of the pleasure experienced in the vagina relates to these internal structures.
Common Misconceptions
A common misunderstanding is that the clitoris is solely the small external “button” visible on the vulva. In reality, the clitoris is an extensive internal organ, with the visible glans being only a small fraction of its total size.
Another common misconception is that vaginal orgasms are entirely separate from clitoral orgasms. Research suggests that for most individuals, achieving orgasm depends on clitoral stimulation, even if that stimulation is indirect through vaginal penetration. The vagina itself has fewer nerve endings, particularly deeper inside, with most sensitive areas located near the entrance where the internal clitoral structures reside. This implies that what might be perceived as a “vaginal orgasm” is often a result of the internal clitoris being stimulated by pressure against the vaginal walls.