Top 5 Clitoris Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Forget everything you think you know about female genitalia... because you’re about to have your mind blown. Welcome to WatchMojo’s Top 5 Facts. In today’s instalment we’re counting down the top five facts about the clitoris.

In this particular contest, the clitoris trumps the penis - by a lot. In fact, the penis has roughly 4000 nerve endings to the clitoris’ wow-inducing average of 8000, proving once and for all that size really doesn’t matter. As if that incredibly high concentration of pleasure sensors wasn’t enough, properly stimulating the clitoris can trigger an additional 15,000 nerve endings in the pelvic region, making it one hell of an erogenous zone if you know how to handle it. With that much potential for pleasure, no wonder over eager hands can cause a lot of unpleasantness or even pain. Experts advise to move slowly, give it the attention it deserves and get the most out of the thousands of nerve-endings at your disposal.

Sure, the human body is covered in erogenous zones. But all of these body parts serve other practical purposes- nipples nurture babies, lips shape vowels, elbows... elbow. The point is, unlike the penis, the erogenous centre of the male body, the clitoris isn’t actively used to achieve conception, nor does it double as an organ for disposing of liquid waste, you know... pee? While one could argue that the clitoris’ purpose is to encourage the human female to procreate, it’s pretty clear that we’ve moved past sex for procreation. As organs go, the clitoris is pretty much all play and no work. Does anyone else want to be a clitoris when they grow up?

While men are frequently preoccupied with the overall size of their junk, it’s actually women who should be more concerned with their measurements. The distance between the clitoris and vaginal opening directly impacts a woman’s ability to achieve orgasm during intercourse. Studies have shown that when a woman’s clitoris is further from the vaginal opening, they are less likely to have orgasms from penetration alone. The difference may only be a matter of millimetres, but this is a time when a few millimetres can make a huge difference. Get out your rulers ladies, because according to a Kinsey Institute study, the magic number you’re looking for is 3cm. Anything less than that and you’re more likely to be having explosive sex on the regular.

This might sound controversial to some, but according to modern science, there is no such thing as a “g-spot.” The vagina has a number of spots that yield... positive results when stimulated, but they are all, essentially different ways of paying attention to the clitoris. External clitoral stimulation works well, but its potential for pleasure goes much deeper. So what about vaginal orgasms? As many women capable of achieving orgasm through penetrative sex will tell you, or even brain scans will attest, a penetrative orgasm is a very different experience. But in the end, an orgasm achieved during vaginal or even anal sex, is thanks to one wonderful body part extending further into the body than we ever previously believed– the clitoris.

Much like an iceberg, very little of the clitoris can be seen from the surface. Only the clitoral head and clitoral hood are external, which is why we underestimated the clitoris for so long. Those two parts only account for a small portion of its total size, which extends into the body in roughly a wishbone type shape. Ready for the next shocker? On average, it’s as large, if not larger than the typical penis. French classrooms will actually be receiving 3D printed clitorises to help better educate the next generation, finally evening the playing field. Most people know what a penis looks like… so it only seems fair that the actual shape of the clitoris become common knowledge.

Pretend this is a safe space, and just be honest… how many of these clitoris facts did you know? Which one surprised you the most? For more wishbone-shaped top 10s and 3cm long Top 5s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.