The clitoris and penis are important structures of human sexual anatomy and both play important roles in sexual arousal and pleasure.
We think that these structures, which we attribute to two different genders, have completely different characteristics from each other. But a closer look may surprise us.
We hear and know a lot about the penis. What about the clitoris?
The clitoris, one of the most important and complex organs of the sexual anatomy, is like a hidden treasure with much more inside than its visible part.
The clitoris is an extremely interesting organ. It can continue to surprise you as you start learning about it. Until very recently, we had almost no knowledge of this organ. While there were thousands of articles on the penis and penis-related diseases, very few on the clitoris.
Today, however, we know that this organ has nearly 8,000 nerve endings, exists only for sexual pleasure, and has no other purpose, such as reproduction. Unfortunately, due to this feature, there are practices of wounding and cutting the outer part of the clitoris, called female circumcision, which are carried out in many countries today to prevent women from enjoying it.
It is astonishing to see how similar the two organs are to each other: The clitoris also enlarges and becomes erect at the moment of stimulation, just like the penis.
The clitoris is the main source of sexual arousal, intense pleasure and orgasm with its nearly 8000 nerve endings. In the case of sexual arousal, just like the penis, the clitoris begins to fill with blood, enlarges and becomes sensitive. Intense stimulation of nerve endings gives a person great sexual pleasure.
The clitoris is not just the visible part of it. Most of it resides inside the body and works with various nerve endings, blood vessels, and tissues.
This organ, which is located in the upper part of the vagina, inside the labia minora and resembles a small penis from the outside, shows great similarities with the penis with its structures resembling testicles in the invisible part.
The clitoris and penis have the same basic tissues. Some scientists have called the clitoris the “female penis” because they both develop from a very similar embryonic structure.
The penis and clitoris are almost the same in the first stage when they begin to form in the womb.
This; Whether the organ will evolve into the clitoris or the penis depends on whether estrogen or testosterone hormones are dominant.
For example, when trans individuals born in a female body enter the process of gender adjustment and start taking testosterone, their clitoris begins to grow in a way that resembles a small penis in a short time without the need for an additional surgery.
However, there are also important differences between the clitoris and the penis.
Most of the clitoris is located inside the vagina and its only function is to provide sexual arousal. The penis, on the other hand, is a larger structure and functions to expel urine and semen.
Also, the clitoris contains many more nerve endings. Although the penis also contains nerve endings, their number is quite small compared to the clitoris and accordingly the feeling of arousal is felt at a lower level.
Considering their similarities, we can think of an evolutionary relationship between the clitoris and the penis. However, it may not be correct to conclude that it is a small version of the penis.
The penis and clitoris may have been the same organ in earlier stages of evolution, but today they appear to be two drastically different organs. Academic discussions and research on this subject continue.
There are many differences as well as common features, and the scientific data we have is still insufficient on this subject. Therefore, it may not be correct to describe the clitoris as just an “undeveloped penis”.
6808
