What exactly IS a vagina? Well, it's the muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vulva. It's a surprisingly common question for such a simple definition, but that quick sentence might not answer all your questions. Luckily, a good old vagina diagram can sure help out. You might think you've got it all down pat down there, but we use a lot of code words to talk about it, and we use the technical word itself in the wrong way — after all, it's not entirely accurate to call the extended network between your legs just the "vagina. Since knowledge is power, it's super important to know the anatomy of your vagina. To get to the heart of the matter, we chatted with Melanie Davis, PhD, a certified sexuality educator and sexuality education consultant, who gave us a virtual tour of the vagina and beyond.
What is the clitoris?
Feel-good areas: erogenous zones
In female anatomy, the hood of the clitoris — or the clitoral hood — is the fold of skin that surrounds the head of the clitoris. It protects the sensitive clitoris from friction or rubbing. The clitoral hood varies widely in appearance from person to person, and larger or smaller hoods are perfectly normal. The article will discuss the clitoral hood, including its appearance, how to find it, and what function it plays. If a person is not happy with how their clitoral hood looks, surgery is an option. We discuss the benefits, risks, and process of surgery here. The vulva describes the whole external female genitalia.
Latest news
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Did you know the clitoris is a large and complex organ? Studies of historical anatomical textbooks have shown that depictions of the clitoris were significantly limited and often omitted completely from the midth into the 20th century. Women were also taught not to enjoy sex; women had sex for reproductive purposes, while men had sex for pleasure. These fallacies led to the neglect of the clitoris in research, literature and the public domain. Although more recent research and feminist lobbying have improved the quality of information on the clitoris in current textbooks, most texts are still brief. These include minimal information, or information only on the external portion of the clitoris the glans. This brevity has impacts on health care for women with clitoral and related pain.
But in reality that little love button is only the tip of a surprisingly complex iceberg called the internal clitoris. These women are basically the experts on everything clit science—and yes, clit science is totally a thing. So what are all the things the mysterious internal clitoris do? Here's some of the most important stuff to know about this amazing organ:. The clitoris as a whole is composed of an external circular mass of glans, with bulbous internal extensions called the vestibular bulbs and internal winglike extensions called the corpus cavernosum. In a sonogram picture it looks a bit like an eagle in flight, descending upon its prey. According to Rebecca Brightman, M. The entire clitoral complex—including the internal wings—will become engorged and enlarged with stimulation.
