The clitoris is an external structure at the top of the vulva, where the inner lips meet, and most of it sits under a fold of skin called the hood, which means the visible part is only the tip of a much larger arrangement that runs inward and down either side of the vaginal opening.
Key facts at a glance
- The visible part is the glans, roughly the size of a pea.
- The internal structure extends several centimetres in two directions.
- The hood can be retracted gently to expose the glans.
- Sensitivity varies; many people prefer indirect contact.
- Location is consistent even when the visible size varies.
How to find it
Start at the top of the vulva where the inner lips meet. The structure under that junction is the glans, and it is the most sensitive part.
The hood is the fold above it. Gently easing it back exposes more of the glans; some people find that too intense and prefer the hood left in place.
If it is not obvious, lie on your back and use a mirror. The glans is usually visible as a small rounded structure below the pubic bone.
What sits underneath
The visible glans is the tip. Two shafts extend back into the body, and two crura extend downward on either side, forming a wishbone shape around the vaginal opening.
That internal structure is why indirect stimulation works: pressure on either side of the vulva reaches the same nerve network.
It also explains why penetration alone can be pleasurable for some people and not others, depending on how the internal parts are arranged.
When it is hard to find
Anatomy varies. In some people the glans is small, partly covered, or sits higher relative to the pubic bone.
Two things help: retracting the hood gently, and trying indirect contact (through the hood, or to either side) over direct pressure.
If nothing feels sensitive, that is information about preference over a problem with anatomy.
Parts of the clitoris
| Part | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Glans | The visible tip, densely innervated | Top of the vulva, under the hood |
| Hood | Fold of skin covering the glans | Directly above the glans |
| Shaft | Two bodies extending inward | Behind the glans |
| Crura | Two legs forming a wishbone | Either side of the vaginal opening |
A small smooth bullet is the practical option here: see the product page for dimensions and price.
Why the visible part is smaller than the structure
The clitoris is one of the few human structures where the majority sits inside the body. The glans is the tip of a much larger arrangement: two shafts that run inward, and two crura that extend down either side of the vaginal opening in a wishbone shape.
That has two practical consequences. First, indirect pressure can be as effective as direct contact, because the internal parts are reachable through the surrounding tissue. Second, the visible size of the glans tells you nothing about the size of the structure underneath, so two people with very different visible anatomy can have very similar sensitivity.
What changes with arousal
With arousal, blood flow increases and the glans typically becomes more prominent, the hood retracts slightly, and the whole area becomes more sensitive. That is why a position or a touch that feels like nothing before arousal can feel intense after it.
It is also why the order matters: direct contact on an unaroused clitoris is often uncomfortable over pleasurable, and starting indirectly or with the hood in place usually works better.
Finding it with a partner
Guidance works better than guesswork. Starting high, above the pubic bone, and moving down slowly is more reliable than aiming for a spot, because the glans sits at the top of the inner lips over in the middle of the vulva.
Asking for feedback in plain language works better than reading reactions. "Higher, slower, through the hood" is more useful than a guess, and the vocabulary is worth having before the session over during it.
What to do if it is sensitive in the wrong way
Direct contact on an exposed glans can be too intense over pleasurable. Three adjustments usually fix it: leave the hood in place, move the contact to either side, or add a layer such as lubricant or fabric between skin and toy.
If sensitivity has changed suddenly, particularly with pain or swelling, that is a reason for a clinical conversation over a technique change.
What the internal structure explains
The internal parts are the reason the clitoris responds to more than direct touch. Two shafts run back from the glans, and two crura curve down either side of the vaginal opening. Pressure on the surrounding tissue reaches the same nerve network, so some people report clitoral sensation from penetration alone.
It also explains why the visible size of the glans predicts very little. A small glans can belong to a large internal structure and vice versa, and sensitivity depends on the density of nerve endings in the glans over on the size of anything below it.
Stimulation techniques that follow from the anatomy
| Approach | What it does | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct on the glans | Maximum intensity, narrow area | People who want strong, immediate sensation |
| Through the hood | Damped intensity, wider area | People who find direct contact sharp |
| Either side of the hood | Reaches the shafts indirectly | People who find the glans oversensitive |
| Broad pressure above the pubic bone | Reaches the internal structure | People who prefer diffuse sensation |
The practical lesson is to try the indirect options before concluding that the area is not sensitive. A large share of people who describe the clitoris as uncomfortable are using the one technique that suits the smallest group.
What changes with age and hormones
Oestrogen affects the tissue of the vulva, including the clitoris and its hood. After menopause, reduced oestrogen can make the tissue thinner, drier and more sensitive to friction, so lubricant and, where appropriate, prescribed topical oestrogen make a practical difference to comfort.
None of that changes location. The structure stays where it is; what changes is how it tolerates contact.
A short summary worth remembering
Top of the vulva, where the inner lips meet, under the hood. The visible part is the tip. Most of the structure is internal, so indirect pressure works.
What the variation in visible anatomy means
Two people with completely different visible anatomy can have identical sensitivity, and two people with near-identical anatomy can have opposite preferences. Visible size predicts very little.
What does predict preference is trial: the position of the contact, the pressure and the direction matter more than anything that can be seen.
Frequently asked
Where exactly is the clit?
At the top of the vulva where the inner lips meet, under a fold of skin called the hood.
How big is it?
The visible glans is roughly pea-sized. The internal structure is several centimetres across.
Why can I not find it?
Anatomy varies, and a partly covered or higher glans is common. Retract the hood gently and try indirect contact.
Is it the same as the G-spot?
No. The G-spot is an area inside the vagina; the clitoris is external, with internal extensions.
Does direct contact always feel best?
No. Many people prefer indirect stimulation through the hood or to either side.
Related reading
clit suction toy · how to use a vibrator · vulva vs vagina
Last updated: 31 October 2026.