In spider monkeys, the clitoris is especially developed and has an interior passage, or urethra, that makes it almost identical to the penis, and it retains and distributes urine droplets as the female spider monkey moves around. Scholar Alan F. Dixson stated that this urine "is voided at the bases of the clitoris, flows down the shallow groove on its perineal surface, and is held by the skin folds on each side of the groove". [186] Because spider monkeys of South America have pendulous and erectile clitorises long enough to be mistaken for a penis, researchers and observers of the species look for a scrotum to determine the animal's sex; a similar approach is to identify scent-marking glands that may also be present on the clitoris. [187] The clitoris of bonobos is larger and more externalized than in most mammals; [189] Natalie Angier said that a young adolescent "female bonobo is maybe half the weight of a human teenager, but her clitoris is three times bigger than the human equivalent, and visible enough to waggle unmistakably as she walks". [190] Female bonobos often engage in the practice of genital-genital (GG) rubbing, which is the non-human form of tribadism that human females engage in. Ethologist Jonathan Balcombe stated that female bonobos rub their clitorises together rapidly for ten to twenty seconds, and this behavior, "which may be repeated in rapid succession, is usually accompanied by grinding, shrieking, and clitoral engorgement"; he added that, on average, they engage in this practice "about once every two hours", and as bonobos sometimes mate face-to-face, "evolutionary biologist Marlene Zuk has suggested that the position of the clitoris in bonobos and some other primates has evolved to maximize stimulation during sexual intercourse". [189]

Highly innervated, the clitoral glans ( glans clitoridis) exists at the tip of the clitoral body as a fibro-vascular cap [27] and is usually the size and shape of a pea, although it is sometimes much larger or smaller. It is homologous to the male glans penis. [29] The clitoral glans, or the entire clitoris, is estimated to have 8,000, and possibly 10,000 or more, sensory nerve endings. [3] [4] Research conflicts on whether or not the glans is composed of erectile or non-erectile tissue. Although the clitoral body becomes engorged with blood upon sexual arousal, erecting the clitoral glans, some sources describe the clitoral glans and labia minora as composed of non-erectile tissue; this is especially the case for the glans. [16] [27] They state that the clitoral glans and labia minora have blood vessels that are dispersed within a fibrous matrix and have only a minimal amount of smooth muscle, [27] or that the clitoral glans is "a midline, densely neural, non-erectile structure". [16]The humanitarian group Clitoraid launched the first annual International Clitoris Awareness Week, from 6 to 12 May in 2015. Clitoraid spokesperson Nadine Gary stated that the group's mission is to raise public awareness about the clitoris because it has "been ignored, vilified, made taboo, and considered sinful and shameful for centuries". [159] [160] Drugs may cause or affect clitoral priapism. The drug trazodone is known to cause male priapism as a side effect, but there is only one documented report that it may have caused clitoral priapism, in which case discontinuing the medication may be a remedy. [127] Additionally, nefazodone is documented to have caused clitoral engorgement, as distinct from clitoral priapism, in one case, [127] and clitoral priapism can sometimes start as a result of, or only after, the discontinuation of antipsychotics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). [128] Think about your preferences when it comes to what you want to feel. "Everyone is different, so, for some folks the vibrator’s pulsation may be too strong if they apply it directly to the clitoris," says Brito. "Others may prefer to use the vibrator around the clitoris rather than right on it. It's best to explore to find the best stimulation for you." Yep, you may need to experiment with a little trial and error. And this is how the clitoris develops; it and the penis are homologues. Nagoski explains how this happens during very early development in the womb. The human clitoris continues to be an object of beauty, pleasure, of mystery and intrigue; and sadly, sometimes of derision and exploitation.

The model shows us just how complicated the clitoris really is, and how it’s woefully misleading to describe it as simply the female equivalent of a penis. It’s not.The clitoral frenulum or frenum ( frenulum clitoridis and crus glandis clitoridis in Latin) [31] is a band of tissue formed between the undersurface of the glans and the top ends of the labia minora. [31] [32] It is homologous to the penile frenulum in males. [31] The frenulum's main function is to maintain the clitoris in its innate position. [31] Body External and internal parts of the clitoris; clitoral body located behind the number 2 You could use this toy 30 times (if you were using for around 2 minutes each) between charges, which is around what I’ve been averaging. Why is the spider monkey’s clitoris so long? Well, it plays a social role in the species, which has a rather peculiar way of organising itself socially compared to other primates. The clitoris contains external and internal components. It consists of the glans, the body (which is composed of two erectile structures known as the corpora cavernosa), and two crura. It has a hood formed by the labia minora (inner lips). It also has vestibular or clitoral bulbs. The frenulum of the clitoris is beneath the glans. The clitoral body supports the glans, and its shape can be seen and felt through the clitoral hood. [24] Lastly, you may also want to keep in mind how the vibrator is charged. Maybe it uses batteries or needs to be plugged in. Lean into whatever is more convenient for you. “Always make sure it's charged enough or has fresh batteries before using it because it's no fun at all if your vibrator dies on you before you finish,” Murray says.

Rossi said,“I’ve heard of many women writing to us, letting us know that for some of them, it’s the first time they’ve had an orgasm. They’ve never found a product or partner who can deliver quite like this.” In an article published in the journal Sex Roles in 2000, researchers Shirley Mattel Ogletree and Harvey J. Ginsburg write that the clitoris had been shrouded in secrecy. It might come as a surprise to learn that not only is the clitoris found across the mammals, it’s also found in birds. Just within our own group of mammals - the primates - its size, shape and function vary enormously. The penguin’s cute little bowtie may become slightly askew during use, but don’t worry, you can clean the toy super easily. About 6 weeks after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, there is a wash of masculinizing hormones,” she writes.The second-place solo position in my opinion has to be the missionary position. This was, as I said, the first position I tried with the toy and despite the need to immediately change my sheets, it was perfect. I was relaxed and comfortable and the toy fits nicely in my hand. For me, sex toys are never embarrassing, so I don’t have such a high interest in aesthetics — I want a vibrator that’s going to get the job done. In a culture that has focused on the importance of reproduction to the detriment of enjoyment, the clitoris has lain forgotten, and the public and medical professionals alike have felt embarrassed to discuss and pay closer attention to it. The look of the product is actually one of spokesperson Rossi’s favorite things. She said, “I have to hand it to the designers. It’s so innocuous. It’s very approachable. Aside from the amazing technology and effectiveness of the product, I do love the design.”

Other than those two minor (I’d even go as far as to say ‘personal preference’) notes on the ease of use, this toy is simple and effective. Best positions - solo and with a partner When it comes to positions with the Satisfyer Penguin, I had to do a bit of troubleshooting. Initially, I used this toy on myself, and everything was fine. I attempted to use it laying down at first and within 30 seconds of use (not joking), I doused my bedsheets. The next time I used the toy, I attempted to use it standing up (to avoid the waterfall on my nice clean sheets) but found that the toy’s power actually made my knees a bit weak (again, not joking). Now, if we take a perspective centred entirely within the human experience, it may be right that the clitoris functions only to provide sexual pleasure. After all, research shows that stimulation of the clitoris is the main way women achieve orgasm. Anything above the 5th pulse setting starts to get pretty noticeable even when it’s on the correct spot. What I will say, though, is that these higher settings are where the real action is (and by that, in my case, I mean squirting-central) - so it’s well worth it, in my opinion. So what’s the deal? How does a contraption that looks like a computer mouse leave me screaming and half-conscious? Here’s your tech lesson of the day…

In reduction clitoroplasty, a common intersex surgery, the glans are preserved and parts of the erectile bodies are excised. [26] Problems with this technique include loss of sensation, loss of sexual function, and sloughing of the glans. [26] One way to preserve the clitoris with its innervations and function is to imbricate and bury the clitoral glans; however, Şenaylı et al. state that "pain during stimulus because of trapped tissue under the scarring is nearly routine. In another method, 50percent of the ventral clitoris is removed through the level base of the clitoral shaft, and it is reported that good sensation and clitoral function are observed in follow-up"; additionally, it has "been reported that the complications are from the same as those in the older procedures for this method". [26] Masters and Johnson's research, as well as Shere Hite's, generally supported Kinsey's findings about the female orgasm. [97] Masters and Johnson were the first researchers to determine that the clitoral structures surround and extend along and within the labia. They observed that both clitoral and vaginal orgasms have the same stages of physical response, and found that the majority of their subjects could only achieve clitoral orgasms, while a minority achieved vaginal orgasms. On that basis, they argued that clitoral stimulation is the source of both kinds of orgasms, [98] reasoning that the clitoris is stimulated during penetration by friction against its hood. [99] The research came at the time of the second-wave feminist movement, which inspired feminists to reject the distinction made between clitoral and vaginal orgasms. [91] [100] Feminist Anne Koedt argued that because men "have orgasms essentially by friction with the vagina" and not the clitoral area, this is why women's biology had not been properly analyzed. "Today, with extensive knowledge of anatomy, with [C.Lombard Kelly], Kinsey, and Masters and Johnson, to mention just a few sources, there is no ignorance on the subject [of the female orgasm]," she stated in her 1970 article The Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm. She added, "There are, however, social reasons why this knowledge has not been popularized. We are living in a male society which has not sought change in women's role." [91]