The crura of the clitoris are about three inches long. You cannot feel this ligament or the next few organs described, but they may play a role in sexual arousal and orgasm.Īt the point where you no longer feel the shaft of the clitoris, it divides into two parts, spreading out wishbone fashion but at a much wider angle, to form the crura (singular: crus), the two anchoring wing tips of erectile tissue that attach to the pelvic bones. It is connected to the bone by a suspensory ligament. This is the body or shaft of the clitoris. It is sometimes sexually stimulating when touched. Extending from the hood up to the pubic symphysis, you can now feel a hardish, rubbery, movable rod right under the skin. The glans of the clitoris corresponds to the glans of the penis, and the labia majora correspond to the scrotum. In fact, the reproductive organs of most fetuses are identical during the first six weeks of development. Many people confuse the glans with the entire clitoris, but it is simply the most visible part.ĭid you know the clitoris is identical in origin, and similar in function, to the penis? All reproductive organs are developed from the same embryonic tissue. The glans is the spot most sensitive to sexual stimulation. Gently pull up the hood to view the glans. Right below the mons, the inner lips join to form a soft fold of skin, or hood, over and covering the glans, or tip of the clitoris. Gently spread apart the inner lips, and you’ll see that they protect a delicate area between them. The labia minora are hairless and very sensitive to touch. For some people, the labia minora – which means “small” or “less” in Latin–are actually the larger set of lips. The labia majora surround the labia minora (the inner lips of the vulva). The hair-covered labia majora are also fatty, and their size, color and shape differ considerably among people. The fatty tissue of the mons pubis also continues between your legs to form two labia majora, the outer lips of the vulva. The anus is the outside opening of the rectum (the end of the large intestine, or colon). You can feel the pubic bones beneath the mons pubis.Īs you spread your legs, you may see in the mirror that the hair continues between your legs and probably around your anus. This is the joint of the pubic bones, which are part of the pelvis, or hip girdle. Pubic hair usually covers the soft fatty tissue called the mons (also mons veneris, mound of Venus, or mons pubis). Unless you shave or wax around your vulva, the most obvious feature is often the pubic hair, the first wisps of which are one of the early signs of puberty. Only the opening of the vagina (introitus) can be seen from the outside, and even then only if you spread your legs wide apart. The vagina, also known as the birth canal, is inside your body. People often confuse the vulva with the vagina. The vulva includes the mons pubis (Latin for “pubic mound”), labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), the external portions of the clitoris, and the external openings of the urethra and vagina. Vulvaįirst, you will see your vulva - all the external organs you can see outside your body. If you’re having a hard time seeing, try aiming a flashlight at your genitals or at the mirror. If you’re uncomfortable in that position, sit as far forward on the edge of a chair as you comfortably can, separate your legs, and place the mirror between them. Try squatting on the floor and putting the mirror between your feet. Make sure you have enough time and privacy to feel relaxed. The following descriptions will be much clearer if you look at your genitals with a hand mirror while you read the text. Regardless, becoming familiar with your own body can help you to learn what is normal for you. For example, if you’re intersex, or if you’ve experienced female genital cutting and/or other kinds of sexual trauma, your genitals may look and feel different than this description. Some of what is described may or may not be an accurate description of your body or its parts. There is a wide range that is considered normal, and what is described here is just what is the most common. The appearance, shape, size, particular arrangement and even the proportions of genitals vary from person to person as much as the shape and size of other body parts. This article looks at the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the vulva and vagina. This content is adapted from an earlier article by Our Bodies Ourselves Anatomy & Menstruation Contributors. Edited by Our Bodies Ourselves Today Sexuality Content Experts, July 2022
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