The clitoris is a female sex organ primarily responsible for sexual pleasure. It is the most sensitive erogenous zone in the vulva due to its high concentration of nerve endings. The visible part of the clitoris, the glans, is a small nub of flesh about the size of a pea, located at the top of the vulva. The clitoris has more than 10,000 nerve fibers, exceeding earlier estimates. This dense network of nerves contributes to the intense and pleasurable sexual responses it can produce.
Most of the clitoris is internal, resembling a wishbone shape with the glans as the top part and internal "legs" that extend inside the pelvic cavity. These internal parts include the body (corpora), crura, and vestibular bulbs. The clitoris is composed of erectile tissue that fills with blood during sexual arousal, similar to the tissue in a penis. Stimulation of the clitoris can lead to orgasm, and research suggests clitoral stimulation is more effective in achieving climax than vaginal stimulation alone. The clitoris and penis originate from the same developmental tissue.
