Sexual healthWomen's health

6 amazing facts about the clitoris

This tiny organ has 10,000 nerve endings dedicated solely to pleasure. And that’s not all.


LearnWomen's healthVaginal and reproductive health6 amazing facts about the clitoris
Its sole purpose is pleasure
It has more nerve endings than the penis
It’s responsible for most orgasms
It's much bigger than you think
It can become erect
It’s not one size or shape

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When we talk about female anatomy, the vagina often gets a lot of attention. But if the discussion is about sexual pleasure, there is another organ to learn about: the clitoris.

The clitoris is a complex structure comprising erectile tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. It sits just above and on each side of the vaginal opening. Up to 90 percent lies beneath the skin. The remaining, visible part is often described as a small button. But that little button can play a big role in your sex life.

Sources: Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR. How many ... + 8
  1. Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR. How many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris. J Sex Med. 2023 Feb 27;20(3):247-252.
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Clitoris. January 26, 2026.
  3. Basanta S, Nuño de la Rosa L. The female orgasm and the homology concept in evolutionary biology. J Morphol. 2023 Jan;284(1):e21544.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Nerves. March 22, 2022.
  5. Mayo Clinic Press. Ask the Gynecologist: How to Orgasm More During Sex? November 4, 2022.
  6. Brown University. Orgasm. Accessed August 11, 2026.
  7. Rachel E. Gross. The Clitoris, Uncovered: An Intimate History. Scientific American. March 4, 2020.
  8. Boston University Medical Campus. Female Genital Anatomy. Accessed August 11, 2026.
  9. Cleveland Clinic. Sexual Response Cycle: Order, Phases & What To Know. December 27, 2023.
Written by Taylor Lupo.
Medically reviewed by Joanne Perron, MD, MPH.April, 2026
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Taylor Lupo.
Medically reviewed by Joanne Perron, MD, MPH.April, 2026
Updated onAugust, 2026
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