The clitoris (KLIT-uh-rus) is a small cylindrical erectile tissue located under the prepuce (PREE-peus). Homologous to the penis, the clitoris is richly supplied with blood vessels as well as nerve endings, and the glans is a particularly sensitive receptor and transmitter of sexual stimuli. In fact, the clitoris, though much smaller, has twice the number of nerve endings as the penis and has a higher concentration of nerve fibers than anywhere else on the body, including the tongue or fingertips (Angier, 1999). In addition, the clitoris is the only human organ whose sole function is to bring sexual pleasure.
 |
 |
The clitoris is difficult to see in many women unless the prepuce is pulled back, though in some women the clitoris may swell enough during sexual excitement to emerge from under the prepuce (see Sex in Real Life, “Female Genital Self-Examination”). It is easy to feel the clitoris, however, by gently grasping the prepuce and rolling it between
 |
the fingers. In fact, most women do not enjoy direct stimulation of the clitoris and prefer stimulation through the prepuce. It is important to clean under the prepuce, for secretions can accumulate underneath as a material known as smegma. As in men, smegma can harden and cause pain and, if left uncleaned, can produce an unpleasant odor.
In some cultures, the clitoris is removed surgically in a ritual circumcision, often referred to as a clitorectomy. Other parts of the vulva can also be removed in a procedure known as infibulation (in-fib-you-LAY-shun). We will discuss the controversy over this practice later in this chapter.
The Vestibule
The vestibule is the name for the entire region between the labia minora and can be clearly seen when the labia are held apart. The vestibule contains the opening of the urethra and the vagina and the ducts of Bartholin’s glands.
The Urethral Meatus The opening, or meatus (mee-AYE-tuss), to the urethra (yoo-REE-thruh) lies between the vagina and the clitoris. The urethra, which brings urine from the bladder to be excreted, is much shorter in women than in men, where it